mistake of fact | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
A mistake of fact is a mistake about a material factual element or mistaken belief other than a mistake of law. Examples include erroneous beliefs about the meaning of a legal term or about the identity of …
Mistake of Law vs. Mistake of Fact: What’s the Difference?
Jul 14, 2025 · What is a Mistake of Fact? A mistake of fact occurs when a person has a misunderstanding or is ignorant of a factual circumstance relevant to their actions. This error is not …
The Mistake of Fact or Law Defense in Criminal Law Cases
Oct 15, 2025 · Learn about the difference between a defense based on a mistake of fact or a mistake of law, and when each is appropriate in a criminal prosecution.
Difference between Mistake of Law vs Mistake of Fact | LegalMatch
Feb 23, 2023 · Specifically, when a defendant asserts a mistake of fact defense, the defendant is asserting that they did not have the intent, or mens rea, necessary to commit the crime because they …
Mistake (criminal law) - Wikipedia
In criminal law, a mistake of fact may sometimes mean that, while a person has committed the physical element of an offence, because they were labouring under a mistake of fact, they never formed the …
mistake of fact - Meaning in law and legal documents, Examples and …
A mistake of fact, or an error in understanding, happens when someone believes something to be true that is actually false, which can affect legal agreements or decisions.
Mistake of Fact - (Criminal Law) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations ...
Mistake of fact refers to a misunderstanding or incorrect belief regarding a factual situation that negates the intention to commit a crime. It can significantly influence mens rea, as it may demonstrate that an …
CORE CRIMINAL LAW SUBJECTS: Defenses: Mistake of Fact
(the threshold question in determining whether a military judge erred in failing to give a mistake-of-fact instruction is whether that defense was reasonably raised by the evidence — in other words, was …
Mistake of Fact: What If I Accidentally Did Something Illegal? - Nolo
Aug 23, 2024 · Mistake of fact generally refers to a mistaken understanding by someone as to the facts of a situation—the mistake results in the person committing an illegal act. Mistake of fact is a defense …
Mistake of Fact: Understanding Its Legal Implications | US Legal Forms
Mistakes of fact are relevant in various areas of law, including contract law, criminal law, and civil litigation. In contract law, a mistake of fact may allow a party to void or rescind a contract if the …