Under the law, what must be proven for a person to be guilty of a crime?

For a person to be found guilty of a crime, intent is a critical component that must be established. The legal concept of intent, often referred to as "mens rea," indicates a person's mental state and their intention to commit a criminal act at the time it was carried out. This mental state differentiates between those who commit acts deliberately versus those who act unintentionally or without criminal intent.

While opportunity and evidence are factors involved in proving a case, they do not independently establish guilt. Opportunity refers to the ability to commit the crime, and evidence is required to substantiate the claims made in court. However, without demonstrating the requisite intent, a person may not be held culpable for the crime, even if evidence and opportunity are present. Therefore, intent is foundational in confirming guilt under criminal law.