Intent
Intent is the offender’s knowing and willing realisation of the elements of an offence, including direct intent and, in Swiss law, conditional intent.
Intent is a basic subjective requirement in criminal law. It means that the offender knows the relevant factual elements of the offence and wills their realisation. Swiss law and doctrine distinguish direct intent, where the result is aimed at or known as certain, from conditional intent, where the offender accepts the risk of the result. Intent must relate to the objective elements of the offence, not necessarily to legal qualification. Mistake about relevant facts may exclude intent, while ignorance of the law is treated separately under rules on culpability.