intent

Design, resolve, or determination with which person acts. Witters v. United States, 70 U.S.App.D.C. 316, 106 F.2d 837, 840.

A state of mind in which a person seeks to accomplish a given result through a course of action. As used in intentional torts, "intent" is desire to bring about result that will invade interests of another. Wager v. Pro, C.A., 603 F.2d 1005, 1010, 195 U.S.App.D.C. 423.

A mental attitude which can seldom be proved by direct evidence, but must ordinarily be proved by circumstances from which it may be inferred. State v. Gantt, 26 N.C.App. 554, 217 S.E.2d 3, 5.

A state of mind existing at the time a person commits an offense and may be shown by act, circumstances and inferences deducible therefrom. State v. Evans, 219 Kan. 515, 548 P.2d 772, 777.

The word "intent" is used throughout the Restatement of Torts, 2nd, to denote that the actor desires to cause consequences of his act, or that he believes that the consequences are substantially certain to result from it. Sec. 8A.

See intentional tort

Intent and motive should not be confused.

Motive is what prompts a person to act, or fail to act.

Intent refers only to the state of mind with which the act is done or omitted.

See also aforethought

- constructive intent

- intention

- larcenous intent

- legislative intent

- malice aforethought

- manifestation of intention

- mens rea

- predatory intent

- premeditation

- presumed intent

- scienter

- specific intent

- willful.

@ common intent

The natural sense given to words.

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- criminal intent (criminal);

- knowingly; mens rea; premeditation.

@ general intent

In criminal law, the intent to do that which the law prohibits. It is not necessary for the prosecution to prove that the defendant intended the precise harm or the precise result which eventuated.

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- specific intent

@ transferred intent

In tort law, if A, intending to strike B, misses B and hits C instead, the intent to strike B is transferred and supplies the necessary intent for the tort against C.

See also transferred intent doctrine

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