Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What is described as consciously doing an act that one knows is likely to cause death or great bodily injury?

1. Culpable negligence

2. Reckless behavior

3. Negligence

4. Intentional harm

The correct answer is: Culpable negligence

The scenario described involves a person who is aware that their actions are likely to result in death or serious injury yet chooses to proceed anyway. This aligns closely with the definition of culpable negligence, which goes beyond mere negligence or carelessness. It involves a level of awareness and disregard for the potential consequences of one's actions, indicating a conscious decision to take a risky action despite understanding the dangers involved. Culpable negligence is often recognized legally as a criminal behavior because it demonstrates a willful disregard for the safety of others. This concept emphasizes a mental state that reflects an understanding of the potential harm and a choice to ignore it, which is a crucial aspect of the definition provided in the question. In contrast, reckless behavior typically implies a disregard for the known risks but may not always include the conscious decision aspect that is a hallmark of culpable negligence. Negligence, on the other hand, usually describes a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances, without this conscious element. Intentional harm implies a specific desire or intention to cause damage or injury, which does not necessarily align with the description of acting with knowledge of potential consequences without the explicit intent to harm. Overall, the correct answer captures the essence of knowingly engaging