Which culpable mental state is associated with acting with a conscious disregard for a substantial risk?

The culpable mental state that involves acting with a conscious disregard for a substantial risk is referred to as recklessly. When an individual acts recklessly, they are aware of and consciously disregard a significant and unjustifiable risk that their actions may cause harm to others or result in a violation of the law. This awareness and choice to ignore the risk demonstrates the mental state of recklessness.

In contrast, criminal negligence involves a failure to be aware of a substantial risk, which suggests a lack of conscious disregard; instead, it reflects a failure to recognize the potential consequences of one’s actions. Intentional and knowing mental states require a different level of purposefulness or awareness about the outcome of the conduct. In these cases, individuals act with a deliberate intent to achieve a specific result or a clear understanding of the nature of their conduct.

Thus, the definition and characteristics of recklessly align precisely with the notion of acting with conscious disregard for a substantial risk, making it the appropriate identification of the culpable mental state referenced in the question.