How is "criminal negligence" characterized in legal terms?

Criminal negligence is characterized as the creation of a substantial and unjustifiable risk through one's actions, leading to the potential for harm. This concept arises when an individual's conduct significantly deviates from what a reasonable person would consider appropriate under similar circumstances. The failure to heed this risk indicates a disregard for the safety and welfare of others, thus resulting in criminal liability.

In legal terms, criminal negligence does not involve intent; rather, it emphasizes a lack of due care that leads to serious consequences. This aligns with the idea of recklessness, where a person is aware of a risk but chooses to disregard it. Therefore, the focus on creating an unjustifiable risk encapsulates the essence of criminal negligence.

Understanding this definition helps clarify how the law differentiates between unintentional acts that may result in harm and those that involve a gross deviation from standard care expected in societal interactions.