Which of the following is NOT a necessary element of criminal intent?

Motive for the action is not a necessary element of criminal intent. In criminal law, the essential components typically focus on the individual's intent to commit the crime and their knowledge or awareness related to that crime.

Criminal intent usually requires that a person has the intention to engage in unlawful conduct or the intent to bring about a specific harmful result. This is captured by elements such as knowledge of the crime, awareness of potential legal consequences, and the actual intent to commit the act in question.

While motive can provide valuable context for understanding why someone committed a crime, it does not determine whether a crime has been committed or the criminal liability of the individual. Thus, knowing why a person acted does not affect the legal proof of intent necessary for a conviction.