Intent

To desire or know with substantial certainty that an event will occur

An article about intent. This article discusses: 1) the importance of intent, 2) how to prove intent, and 3) the role intent plays in bringing justice for George Floyd.

Intent, one of my favorite words in the legal context. Intent became one of my favorite words when I was in law school. Because you see, without intent, some things you just can’t prove — and your argument will fail.

Intent is an important word in the legal context and other areas. Intent makes the difference between being punished and not being punished for a certain act. Intent determines the severity of one’s punishment and what charges will be brought against the individual. You must prove the actor intended the outcome.

All torts and some crimes require intent. In the legal world, a case can go both ways. Using the same facts, you can prove or not intent.

How to Prove Intent

Intent is the desire or knowledge with substantial certainty that something will occur.

• Desire is whether circumstantial evidence justifies concluding that you desired the event.
• Knowledge with Substantial Certainty is assumes intent of the actor whether they had premeditated intent or not, but had a clue with substantial certainty that what they was doing would result in the outcome.