Intention and Motive:
Difference Between Intention and Motive
Intention
Intention refers to a person’s aim or plan to bring about a certain result through their actions. It is the mental state of being resolved to perform a particular act. In the context of law, intention is crucial in determining the culpability of an individual, as it shows a deliberate decision to commit a specific act.
- The purpose or plan behind an action.
- Shows a deliberate decision to achieve a specific outcome.
- Important in establishing criminal liability.
- Example: A person plans and decides to steal a car.
Motive
Motive refers to the underlying reason or driving force that prompts someone to act in a certain way. It is the cause that drives a person to commit an act, whether good or bad. While motive can provide context for why a person acted as they did, it is not necessarily relevant in determining guilt in a legal sense.
- The reason or driving force behind an action.
- Explains why a person decides to do something.
- Not essential in establishing criminal liability but can provide context.
- Example: A person steals a car because they need money.
Key difference between intention and motive:
Difference Between Intention and Motive
INTENTION | MOTIVE |
---|---|
Meaning: Intention is what you plan or aim to do. It’s your decision to achieve a specific result through your actions. | Meaning: Motive is the reason why you do something. It explains what drives you to take a particular action. |
Example: (i) If you intend to study for an exam, your plan is to read and learn the material. (ii) Example: A person decides to rob a bank. Their intention is to take money from the bank illegally. In this example, the intention is to rob the bank, while the motive is the financial pressure caused by debt. |
Example: (i) If you study for an exam because you want to get good grades, the desire for good grades is your motive. (ii) The person decides to rob the bank because they are deeply in debt and need money to pay off their creditors. The need to pay off debt is their motive. |
Stage of Crime: It is the first stage. | Stage of Crime: It is irrelevant. |
Test: By conduct of the person, we can figure out what was the intention of the person. | Test: Through evidence (circumstantial or other), we can figure out what was the motive of the person. |
Role in Crime: Intention is one of the key essentials of crime and without intention or mens rea, there is no crime. | Role in Crime: It is irrelevant; the motive of a person does not matter in the crime. |
Main Objective: It is the main objective behind any crime or an offence. | Driving Force: It is the driving force for an offence. |
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