What does transferred intent refer to in a legal context?

Transferred intent is a legal doctrine that applies when an individual intends to harm one person but accidentally causes harm to another person. In this context, if a person sets out with the intention to commit a wrongful act, such as an assault, against a specific individual, but instead harms a different individual, the intent to harm is considered to "transfer" to the actual victim. This principle ensures that the original intent of the perpetrator can still result in liability, even though the person harmed was not the intended target.

This concept is crucial in tort law and criminal law as it holds individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of whether they successfully targeted the intended victim. For example, if someone throws a punch at a person but misses and hits someone else, that person can still claim that the attacker had the intent to cause harm, allowing for accountability through legal repercussions.

The other options do not accurately describe the concept of transferred intent. The second option describes a negligent act, which does not involve intent to harm. The third option refers to a failure to act, which also does not involve intent. Finally, the fourth option covers an unintentional act that results in property damage, which again lacks the necessary intent element central to the transferred intent doctrine.