Opinion ID: 848647
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: criminal intent is an element of mcl 750.145c(3)

Text: The statutory provision under consideration, MCL 750.145c(3), reads in relevant part: A person who distributes or promotes, or finances the distribution or promotion of, or receives for the purpose of distributing or promoting, or conspires, attempts, or prepares to distribute, receive, finance, or promote any child sexually abusive material or child sexually abusive activity is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 7 years, or a fine of not more than $50,000.00, or both, if that person knows, has reason to know, or should reasonably be expected to know that the child is a child or that the child sexually abusive material includes a child or that the depiction constituting the child sexually abusive material appears to include a child, or that person has not taken reasonable precautions to determine the age of the child. This subsection does not apply to the persons described in section 7 of 1984 PA 343, MCL 752.367. The question presented is whether, to be convicted under the statute, a defendant must possess the criminal intent to distribute or promote child pornography. Considering solely the statute's words, it is apparent that criminal intent, mens rea, is not explicitly required. The only specific knowledge requirement is that the defendant knew that the sexually abusive material included or appeared to include a child.