What is "criminal negligence" as defined in the Penal Code?

Criminal negligence refers to a failure to be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that results in harm to others. This concept emphasizes that an individual's lack of awareness or disregard of a significant risk constitutes a breach of the standard of care that a reasonable person would observe in a similar situation. Essentially, it is about the failure to perceive risks that a reasonable person would, hence leading to harm inadvertently.

The focus of criminal negligence is on the individual's mental state and actions that deviate from what is considered acceptable or lawful behavior. The standard is not about intentional harm, but rather about a significant lack of awareness and care that leads to consequences. Understanding this reinforces the distinction between intentional acts and those that arise from unintentional negligence. The other provided choices pertain to different concepts or nuances of law and do not accurately capture the essence of criminal negligence as defined by the Penal Code.