What is a civil wrong where the defendant deliberately injures the plaintiff called?

The term for a civil wrong where the defendant deliberately injures the plaintiff is an intentional tort. This legal category encompasses actions taken with the intent to cause harm or injury to another individual, whether via physical damage, emotional distress, or other adversities. Examples of intentional torts can include assault, battery, false imprisonment, and defamation.

The fundamental nature of an intentional tort is the presence of intent; the defendant must have consciously desired to bring about the injury or acted with substantial certainty that such harm would occur as a result of their actions. This differentiates it from negligence torts, where harm results from a failure to act in a reasonable manner but without intent to cause harm.

Concepts like gross negligence reflect a severe degree of negligence that may result in harm but do not involve intent, while violations of civil rights refer to actions or omissions that infringe upon individuals' fundamental rights and freedoms. Therefore, understanding the definitions and characteristics of various torts is key for clarity in legal contexts, especially within the scope of detention and law enforcement.