United States Leading Case scienter presumptionpublic welfare offensesintent

Morissette v. United States

342 U.S. 246 (1952); 72 S. Ct. 240; 96 L. Ed. 288

JurisdictionUnited States

CourtSupreme Court of the United States

Year1952

StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

For traditional common-law crimes, criminal intent (mens rea) is presumed an element even where the statute is silent; the omission of an intent word does not eliminate the scienter requirement.

Area of Law

Criminal Law, Procedure & Evidence

Related Cases

In re Winship 397 U.S. 358 (1970); 90 S. Ct. 1068; 25 L. Ed. 2d 368

Katz v. United States 389 U.S. 347 (1967); 88 S. Ct. 507; 19 L. Ed. 2d 576

Klein v. Martin 607 U. S. 213 (2026)

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