4. C.J.S. Assault and Battery §§ 5, 9, 15, 67, 71; Torts§§ 2, 23.]
transferred intent doctrine
transferred-intent doctrine. The rule that if one person intends to harm a second person but instead unintentionally harms a third, the first person’s criminal or tortious intent toward the second applies to the third as well. • Thus, the offender may be prosecuted for an intent crime or sued by the third person for an intentional tort. See INTENT. [Cases: Assault and Battery 3, 49; Torts