Final answer:
The doctrine of transferred intent applies when an individual's intentional harmful act misses the intended target and harms another person, allowing legal accountability to be transferred to the actual victim.
Step-by-step explanation:
The doctrine of transferred intent is a legal principle that occurs when a person's intention to harm one individual inadvertently causes harm to another person. The rationale behind this doctrine is to ensure that someone acting with the intent to harm is held responsible even if the actual outcome differs from the initial target of their intent. Essentially, the law transfers the actor's intent from the intended target to the actual victim of the harmful act.
For example, if Person A intends to punch Person B but misses and accidentally punches Person C instead, under the doctrine of transferred intent, Person A may still be held liable for battery against Person C. This doctrine upholds the principle that individuals must be held accountable for the consequences of their intentional actions, regardless of whether those consequences were directed at the initial victim.