Which best describes the difference between assault and battery?

Which best describes the difference between assault and battery?

• A. Assault is the threat of harm
• B. Assault requires a weapon
• C. Assault is fear of being hurt; battery is being hurt
• D. Assault and battery are the same

Answer: (C)

The difference between assault and battery is about whether harm is only threatened or actually inflicted. Assault means creating a fear of imminent harm in the victim or attempting to cause harm, so the harm is not yet carried out. Battery means there is actual physical contact that causes harm or offense. So describing assault as the fear of being hurt and battery as being hurt matches the real distinction: one is about the threat or attempted touch, the other is about the real harm that occurs. The other options don’t fit because a weapon isn’t required for assault, and simply threatening harm isn’t the full concept if it doesn’t involve the victim’s fear of imminent harm or an actual attempt. And saying they’re the same ignores the difference between threat/attempt and actual harm.

The difference between assault and battery is about whether harm is only threatened or actually inflicted. Assault means creating a fear of imminent harm in the victim or attempting to cause harm, so the harm is not yet carried out. Battery means there is actual physical contact that causes harm or offense. So describing assault as the fear of being hurt and battery as being hurt matches the real distinction: one is about the threat or attempted touch, the other is about the real harm that occurs. The other options don’t fit because a weapon isn’t required for assault, and simply threatening harm isn’t the full concept if it doesn’t involve the victim’s fear of imminent harm or an actual attempt. And saying they’re the same ignores the difference between threat/attempt and actual harm.