What is the Difference Between Motive and Intention?

The difference between motive and intention lies in their definitions and their roles in criminal law. Here are the key distinctions between the two concepts:

• Motive refers to the underlying reason or driving force behind an action or decision. It is the emotional or psychological factor that prompts a person to act in a certain way, and it can be influenced by personal beliefs, values, and experiences. Motive is often used by investigators to narrow down their list of suspects and can influence a judge's opinion during sentencing.
• Intention refers to a person's conscious decision to commit an act that violates state or federal laws. In criminal law, intent is an element of an offense that the prosecutor must prove. Intent can be general or specific, with specific intent focusing on the details of the crime and the accused's knowledge of its illegality or the intention to cause harm.

While motive and intention are often mentioned together, they represent two distinct aspects of a criminal case. A motivation to act is not a crime by itself, but committing an act with criminal intent generally is. In summary, intention is the plan or decision to do something, while motive is the underlying reason or drive behind the action.

Comparative Table: Motive vs Intention

Here is a table that highlights the differences between motive and intention:

In summary, motive is the reason or driving force behind an action, while intention is the mental state or purpose behind a specific action. Motive is a psychological aspect that deals with the underlying reasons for a person's actions, whereas intention is more focused on the mental state and purpose behind those actions.