Which of the following is considered a default mental state in Missouri?

In Missouri criminal law, the default mental state is knowledge. This means that unless a statute explicitly states otherwise, a defendant is presumed to have acted with knowledge if they are charged with a crime. Knowledge involves awareness or belief regarding the nature of one's actions or the circumstances surrounding those actions. This aligns with the general understanding of criminal liability, where proving that an individual knowingly engaged in wrongdoing elevates their culpability.

Other mental states, such as purpose and recklessness, require a higher level of intent or awareness. Purpose refers to acting with the conscious objective to bring about a particular result, while recklessness involves a conscious disregard of a substantial and unjustifiable risk. Strict liability, on the other hand, does not require any mental state and applies to offenses where the mere act of committing the wrongdoing is sufficient for liability, regardless of whether the individual had any intent or knowledge. However, strict liability is not the default mental state, as it is applicable only to specific statutory offenses.