What is the primary distinction between general intent and specific intent?

The primary distinction between general intent and specific intent lies in the level of mental state required for each. General intent relates to the awareness of the act itself being committed, without the necessity of intending a specific outcome beyond the act itself. It is characterized by the notion that the perpetrator intended to perform the act, regardless of the outcome that follows.

In contrast, specific intent entails a higher level of mental state where the individual not only intends to act but also has a specific purpose or outcome in mind for that action. This means that specific intent crimes require proof of not just the act, but also the mental goal behind it, such as intending to cause a certain harm or achieve a particular result.

While option A suggests that general intent focuses on the outcome, it does not capture the complete essence of general intent, which is more about the intention behind the action rather than the outcome. Hence, specific intent's requirement of having a particular purpose distinguishes it from general intent, where the focus is just on the performance of the act. This understanding is crucial in assessing culpability in different types of criminal offenses.