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Strict Liability
Strict liability crimes do not require the government to prove a defendant acted with a "guilty mind." Students often struggle with the concept that "strict liability" simply means the absence of a mens rea requirement. If you determine that an offense requires proof of negligence, recklessness, knowledge, purpose, or some other mens rea, that offense is by definition NOT a strict liability crime.
Keep in mind that the Model Penal Code disfavors strict liability crimes. Recall that MPC § 2.02(1) provides: "Except as provided in Section 2.05, a person is not guilty of an offense unless he acted purposely, knowingly, recklessly or negligently, as the law may require, with respect to each material element of the offense." MPC § 2.05 provides a narrow, though important, exception to the requirements of §§ 2.01 and 2.02.
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