Under what condition is a person acting knowingly?

A person is acting knowingly when they are aware of their conduct or the existing circumstances surrounding that conduct. This means that the individual has a conscious understanding of what they are doing, as well as an awareness of the relevant facts and context of their actions. In criminal law, this awareness distinguishes between unintentional actions and those that are carried out with knowledge of the situation, which can impact the determination of criminal liability.

For example, if someone engages in conduct that is illegal but does so with a full understanding of their actions and the circumstances that make them illegal, they would be considered to be acting knowingly. This implies a level of intent or awareness that is critical in establishing culpability in criminal cases, as different levels of awareness can lead to different charges or defenses.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of acting knowingly, as they either imply a lack of awareness or emotional distress that would not meet the legal standard for knowledge.