What is the legal test for 'knowledge' of a crime?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Hunt, C084821 (Cal. App. 2019):

knowledge that it will promote or facilitate the commission of the crime, he . . . solicits, commands, encourages, or requests such other person to commit it; or aids or agrees to aid such other person in planning or committing it.' Wash. Rev. Code 9A.08.020(3)(a)(i)-(ii) (1997) (emphasis added). In contrast, under federal law, 'to prove liability as an aider and abettor the government must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had the specific intent to facilitate the commission of a crime by someone else.' United States v. Garcia, 400 F.3d 816, 819 (9th Cir. 2005) (emphasis added). Therefore, federal law requires a mens rea of specific intent for conviction for aiding and abetting, whereas Washington requires merely knowledge. [] . . . []

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