In legal terms, what is "mens rea" commonly referred to as?

The term "mens rea" is commonly understood to refer to "criminal intent," which is a fundamental aspect of criminal law. It describes the mental state or intention of a person at the time they commit a criminal act. To secure a conviction for most crimes, it is necessary to establish that the offender had the requisite mental state, which signifies their awareness and intention to engage in the criminal behavior. This concept is critical because it differentiates between individuals who commit harmful actions with intent and those who may do so unintentionally or without a culpable state of mind.

Other terms listed, such as judicial discretion, legal liability, and civil action, relate to different aspects of the law. Judicial discretion pertains to the latitude or authority that judges have in making decisions within legal parameters. Legal liability refers to one's legal responsibilities or obligations resulting from actions, whereas civil action relates to lawsuits to resolve disputes that do not involve criminal penalties. Thus, "criminal intent" is the most accurate interpretation of "mens rea" in the context of legal terminology.