What are Assault & Battery Charges?
Assault and battery charges are common criminal offenses that involve threats, attempts, or acts of physical harm against another person. Although the terms are often used together, assault and battery are legally distinct crimes, and understanding the difference is essential if you or someone you know is facing these charges. What Is Assault? Assault generally refers to an act that causes another person to reasonably fear imminent harmful or offensive contact. Physical contact is not always required for an assault charge. Examples of assault include: Threatening someone with physical harm Raising a fist or weapon in a threatening manner Attempting to strike someone but missing In many jurisdictions, verbal threats alone may not qualify as assault unless they are accompanied by actions that create a genuine fear of immediate harm. What Is Battery? Battery involves actual physical contact with another person that is harmful or offensive. Unlike assault, battery requires physical ...