What does it mean for a person to act knowingly in Kentucky criminal law?

• A. They are aware of and understand the nature of their conduct.
• B. A person acts knowingly when they are aware that their conduct is of a certain nature or that a circumstance exists.
• C. They act knowingly only if they intend to cause harm.
• D. They act knowingly when they consciously disregard a substantial risk.

Answer: (B)

Knowingly means being aware that what you are doing is of a certain kind or that a certain fact exists. You don’t have to intend to cause a specific result, nor do you have to understand the legal implications; you just need to know the nature of your conduct or that the circumstance exists. This distinguishes knowingly from intending to cause harm (which is a higher level of intent) and from recklessly disregarding a risk (which is a different mental state). So the best fit is the definition that focuses on awareness of the conduct’s nature or of the relevant circumstances.