What is the mental state required for failure to report a felony?

To determine the mental state required for the failure to report a felony, it is important to understand the relevant legal definitions and standards.

The correct mental state for failing to report a felony is "willfully." This term implies that the individual acted with deliberate intent to not report the felony, meaning they were aware of their legal duty to report and chose not to fulfill that duty. This intentional disregard for the obligation to report a felony indicates a conscious choice rather than an accidental or negligent oversight.

In legal terms, willfulness establishes a more serious standard than mere negligence, which involves a lack of care or consideration that might lead to a failure to act but does not reflect deliberate intention. Similarly, the concepts of "intentionally" and "negligently" also do not encompass the specific legal requirements for this situation, as they suggest differing mental states that do not align with the intention to purposely disregard the requirement to report a felony.

Thus, the defining characteristic of failing to report a felony aligns with the standard of willfulness, confirming that one must act with intention and awareness to be held accountable under the law for not reporting a felony.