Which type of intent is satisfied when a defendant intentionally engages in conduct that leads to a criminal result?

The correct answer is specific intent. This type of intent refers to the defendant's mental state wherein they not only engage in conduct but do so with the intention of causing a particular result. In other words, specific intent involves the conscious objective to bring about a specific criminal outcome.

For instance, if a defendant plans and executes a robbery, their intent to take someone else's property with the aim of permanently depriving them of it qualifies as specific intent because the defendant had a clear goal in mind. This distinguishes specific intent from other forms of intent, which may not involve such a direct or concrete purpose behind the conduct, such as general intent.

General intent, in contrast, refers to when the defendant commits an act without the need to prove that they had a specific purpose behind it, merely showing that the individual intended to commit the act itself. Malicious intent typically involves doing an act with a wicked purpose, while recklessness involves engaging in conduct where the defendant consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk. Specific intent remains focused on the intended outcome of the conduct, making it the correct choice in this context.