In aggravated sexual assault, which mental state applies when the offender causes serious bodily injury or attempts to cause death during a sex act?

• A. Reckless behavior
• B. Strict liability
• C. Intent or knowingly
• D. Negligent disregard

Answer: (C)

Mental state required here is intent or knowingly. When the offender purposely engages in a sex act with the aim of causing serious bodily injury or death, that shows intent. If they act with knowledge that serious harm is practically certain to result and proceed anyway, that’s knowingly. This goes beyond mere disregard for risk (recklessness) or carelessness (negligence) and isn’t a strict liability situation, which would require no mental state at all. So the crime is aggravated because the act involves either a deliberate goal to harm or awareness that such harm was highly likely.