Intent (Legal)

In legal terms, "intent" refers to a person's mental state or purpose when committing an act, indicating they deliberately aimed to achieve a result. It involves awareness and purpose behind their actions, showing the act was not accidental but done with a specific goal or knowledge of its consequences. Intent is important in determining criminal or civil liability, as it shows whether the person willingly engaged in conduct that caused harm or whether the act was unintended. Establishing intent helps courts decide the level of responsibility and appropriate punishment or resolution.