Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 1. GENERAL LAWS AND DEFINITIONS

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Part 2. General Definitions of Terms Used in Code

Terms Denoting State Of Mind

1-1-204. Terms denoting state of mind. Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply in the Montana Code Annotated:

(1) "Corruptly" means a wrongful design to acquire or cause some pecuniary or other advantage to the person guilty of the act or omission referred to or to some other person.

(2) "Knowingly" means only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this code. It does not require any knowledge of the unlawfulness of the act or omission.

(3) "Malice" and "maliciously" mean a wish to vex, annoy, or injure another person or an intent to do a wrongful act, established either by proof or presumption of law.

(4) "Neglect", "negligence", "negligent", and "negligently" mean a want of the attention to the nature or probable consequences of the act or omission that a prudent person would ordinarily give in acting in the person's own concerns.

(5) "Willfully", when applied to the intent with which an act is done or omitted, means a purpose or willingness to commit the act or make the omission referred to. It does not require any intent to violate the law, to injure another, or to acquire any advantage.

History: En. Sec. 16, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 16, Rev. C. 1907; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 4, L. 1921; re-en. Sec. 16, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 17; re-en. Sec. 16, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 25, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 11-114, Ch. 264, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 309, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 19-103(part), (19) thru (23); amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 61, L. 2007.