What must a plaintiff show to prove trespass to chattels?

To prove trespass to chattels, a plaintiff must demonstrate actual harm or deprivation of use of their personal property. This legal principle revolves around the idea that a party has interfered with another person's use of their chattel (personal property) in a way that causes harm or loss.

Actual harm can include physical damage to the property or a temporary interference that restricts the owner's ability to use it. This establishes the necessary connection between the defendant's actions and the resulting harm to the plaintiff's chattel, which is essential to succeed in a claim of trespass to chattels.

The other options do not accurately capture the requirements for this tort; intent to harm the defendant does not relate to the cause of action, nor is having witnesses a fundamental requirement in establishing the claim. While documentation of ownership can support a claim, it is not a necessary element to establish the act of trespass itself. Therefore, demonstrating actual harm or deprivation of use is the critical condition that a plaintiff needs to fulfill to succeed in a claim of trespass to chattels.