Delaware § 231 - Definitions relating to state of mind.

§ 231. Definitions relating to state of mind.

(a) “Criminal negligence”. — A person acts with criminal negligence with respect to an element of an offense when the person fails to perceive a risk that the element exists or will result from the conduct. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation.

(b) “Intentionally”. — A person acts intentionally with respect to an element of an offense when:

(1) If the element involves the nature of the person’s conduct or a result thereof, it is the person’s conscious object to engage in conduct of that nature or to cause that result; and

(2) If the element involves the attendant circumstances, the person is aware of the existence of such circumstances or believes or hopes that they exist.

(c) “Knowingly”. — A person acts knowingly with respect to an element of an offense when:

(1) If the element involves the nature of the person’s conduct or the attendant circumstances, the person is aware that the conduct is of that nature or that such circumstances exist; and

(2) If the element involves a result of the person’s conduct, the person is aware that it is practically certain that the conduct will cause that result.

(d) “Negligence”. — A person acts with negligence with respect to an element of an offense when the person fails to exercise the standard of care which a reasonable person would observe in the situation.

(e) “Recklessly”. — A person acts recklessly with respect to an element of an offense when the person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the element exists or will result from the conduct. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that disregard thereof constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation. A person who creates such a risk but is unaware thereof solely by reason of voluntary intoxication also acts recklessly with respect thereto.

11 Del. C. 1953, §  231;  58 Del. Laws, c. 497, §  1;  63 Del. Laws, c. 88, §  6;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;