ANIMUS FURANDI Meaning and
Definition
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Animus furandi is a Latin legal term that refers to the malicious intent of stealing or taking someone's property without their consent. The term "animus" translates to "mind" or "intention," while "furandi" means "of stealing" or "to steal." Hence, animus furandi can be understood as the deliberate state of mind or purposeful mental attitude to commit theft.
This concept is often used in criminal law to establish the necessary mens rea, or guilty mind, for theft offenses. It implies that the individual had a conscious and knowing intention to unlawfully appropriate someone else's property. Animus furandi is crucial in differentiating between accidental or unintentional acts and deliberate acts of theft.
To establish a charge of theft, it is essential to prove that the accused person not only physically took possession of the property but also had the required criminal intention behind their actions. The presence of animus furandi is therefore necessary to establish criminal liability and to differentiate theft from mere negligence or accidental possession.
In legal proceedings, the presence of animus furandi may be inferred from various circumstances, such as the accused's behavior, statements, or past actions that demonstrate a pattern of theft or dishonesty. However, it is important to note that the specific legal standards and interpretations may vary across jurisdictions.
Etymology of ANIMUS FURANDI
The term "Animus Furandi" is a Latin phrase. In Latin, "animus" means "intent" or "mind", and "furandi" is the gerund of the verb "furare", which means "to steal". Therefore, "Animus Furandi" in its literal translation means "intent of stealing" or "the mind for theft". It is a legal concept used to describe the intention or mental state of a person who is planning or intending to commit theft.
Similar spelling word for ANIMUS FURANDI
