Recapture of Chattels

Reasonable, timely force allowed to recover wrongfully taken chattels after demand for return.

Representative cases

• Commonwealth v. Rogers 459 Mass. 249 · Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• MacK Trucks, Inc. v. Taylor 362 P.2d 364 · Oregon Supreme Court
• State v. Jones 461 So. 2d 97 · Supreme Court of Florida

Related Intentional Torts rules

• Intentional Torts: IntentIntent exists when defendant acts with purpose or knowledge to a substantial certainty that harm will occur.
• 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.

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