In this context, Aggravated Sexual Assault does not require proof of culpability, illustrating which concept?

• A. Intent-Based Offense
• B. Strict Liability Offense
• C. Felony Murder
• D. Negligence

Answer: (B)

Strict liability means you convict based only on proving the prohibited act happened, without needing to show the defendant had a culpable mental state such as intent, knowledge, or recklessness. If the statute defining aggravated sexual assault is treated as a strict-liability offense, the prosecution would focus on whether the conduct occurred and met the statutory description, not on what the person was thinking or intending at the time.

This differs from an intent-based offense, where the key question is whether the person acted with a purposeful or knowing mindset to commit the crime. It also isn’t about negligence, which centers on failing to exercise reasonable care. And it isn’t the same as felony murder, which ties a murder to the commission of a felony and involves a different mental-state framework for the homicide element.

So, the statement illustrates strict liability: the act itself satisfies the offense without needing proof of culpability.