In criminal law, the doctrine that applies when the defendant intends to harm one person but harms someone else is called what?

• A. Thefts
• B. Assault
• C. Transferred Intent
• D. Battery

Answer: (C)

Transferred intent is the idea that the defendant’s intention to harm a specific person attaches to the person who is actually harmed. If someone aims to harm Person A but ends up harming Person B, the defendant can be charged for the intended offense against Person B because the mental state was directed at harming someone, and that intent transfers to the actual victim. This applies to crimes that require a particular intent toward a person, such as certain assaults or homicide, depending on the jurisdiction. It doesn’t involve theft, and it isn’t merely about labeling the act as assault or battery without considering the defendant’s original intent. The key point is that the culpable mindset toward the intended target is treated as applied to the person who was harmed.