http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/intent
Quote:
ntent n. mental desire and will to act in a particular way, including wishing not to participate. Intent is a crucial element in determining if certain acts were criminal. Occasionally a judge or jury may find that "there was no criminal intent." Example: lack of intent may reduce a charge of manslaughter to a finding of reckless homicide or other lesser crime.
|
Here is the definition as well as some explanation of criminal intent.
Saying someone intends to cause harm to others by getting behind the wheel drunk is like saying a guy who is hunting and shoots at a deer, misses and the bullet travels far enough and hits a person has the intent to kill someone (theres probably a better analogy for this but im thinking off the top of my head). Yes the driver imposes risks on others and himself, but there is not INTENT to harm anyone.