Intentional Torts: Intent

Intent exists when defendant acts with purpose or knowledge to a substantial certainty that harm will occur.

Representative cases

• Walker v. Capstone Building Corp. 96 So. 3d 77 · Supreme Court of Alabama
• Franklin Corp. v. Tedford 18 So. 3d 215 · Mississippi Supreme Court
• McMillin v. Mueller 2005 SD 41 · South Dakota Supreme Court

Related Intentional Torts rules

• Battery: ElementsBattery requires intent, harmful or offensive contact, and that contact be with plaintiff's person.
• Assault: ElementsAssault is intentional act creating reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact.
• False ImprisonmentFalse imprisonment is intentional confinement without lawful privilege and without consent.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIIED requires extreme and outrageous conduct intended or recklessly causing severe emotional distress.
• Trespass to LandTrespass to land requires intentional physical invasion of plaintiff’s real property.
• Trespass to ChattelsTrespass to chattels involves intentional interference with another’s possessory rights causing actual harm.
• ConversionConversion requires intentional dominion or control over chattel that seriously interferes with plaintiff’s rights.
• Consent DefenseConsent bars liability when plaintiff voluntarily and knowingly agrees to defendant’s conduct.

Part of Torts on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.