What does the term 'intent' signify in the context of false imprisonment?

In the context of false imprisonment, the term 'intent' signifies the desire to confine or restrain the plaintiff. False imprisonment occurs when an individual is restrained or confined against their will without legal justification. To establish false imprisonment, it is necessary to demonstrate that the defendant had the intent to confine the plaintiff; this means that the defendant acted with a purpose to limit the plaintiff's freedom of movement.

This intent does not require that the defendant intended to cause harm or distress, but rather simply that they acted with the purpose of creating the confinement. For instance, if a store security guard detains a suspected shoplifter solely to question them about a theft, that guard acts with the intent necessary for false imprisonment if the detention exceeds what is reasonable or lawful for that purpose.

Other options, such as acknowledging confinement or knowledge of potential damages, do not adequately capture the essence of intent in false imprisonment. Intent focuses specifically on the desire to achieve confinement, which is a critical element in establishing liability for this tort.