Legal Definitions - ulterior intent

Definition: Ulterior intent refers to the intention that goes beyond a wrongful act and relates to the objective for which the act is done. It is also known as motive.

Example: A thief's immediate intent may be to steal someone's money, but the ulterior intent may be to buy food with that money.

This example illustrates that the thief's immediate intent is to commit a wrongful act of stealing money, but the ulterior intent is to use that money to buy food. The ulterior intent goes beyond the immediate act of stealing and relates to the objective for which the act is done.

Additional Example: A lawmaker's ulterior intent in drafting or voting for a measure may be to gain political support or to benefit a particular group of people.

This example illustrates that a lawmaker's ulterior intent may go beyond the immediate act of drafting or voting for a measure and relate to the objective of gaining political support or benefiting a particular group of people.