Doctrine of Transferred Intent
Examples
1. Tim wanted to scare Rob by threatening to punch him, but Tim accidentally connected and hit Rob in the face. Tom didn't intend to commit battery, BUT because he intended to commit assault, the intent transfers to his battery.
2. Sally wanted to drive her car into her ex's prize convertible, but instead she ran into the garden and damaged a fence. She intended to commit trespass to chattel, instead she committed trespass to land, but that intent transfers and the element is met.
3. During a bar fight, Jack wanted to punch Sam but accidentally punched Larry instead. Because Jack did intend to commit a battery – just not the battery he actually committed — that intent transfers to the battery of Larry.
Definition
You intend to cause one forcible tort but cause another forcible tort, then the intent is transferred from the tort you intended to the tort you committed.