In Jurisprudence Animus nocendi (in Latin, the intention of committing something of illegal or a damage) is the subjective state of mind of the author of a crime, with reference to the exact knowledge of illegal content of his behaviour, and of its possible consequences.
In most modern legal systems, the animus nocendi is required as an essential condition to give a penal condemnation.
The animus nocendi is usually demonstrated by the verified presence of these elements:
- knowledge of a law that prohibited the discussed action or conduct (unless there exists a systemic obligation, pending on every citizen, that considers that the law has to be known by every adult - in this case the knowledge is presumed a priori);
- knowledge of the most likely consequences of his action;
- precise intention of breaking the law or of causing the verified effects of the action.
The animus nocendi is often absent in people with mental diseases, and in front of such people, a psychiatric expertise is usually required to verify the eventual animus. Minors too are in many systems considered little capable of a correct knwoledge about the meaning or the consequences of their actions, and this is the reason for the common reduction of the passive capability of punishment they usually can receive.
A particular case of animus nocendi is the voluntas necandi. See also mens rea.