“Assault” is a threat or attempt to harm someone. “Battery” is actually physical contact. Being “charged” in this context is being officially given criminal consequences, where you will have a court date and go to trial (or make a plea deal before trial).
“Assault” and “battery” are common-law terms that have been defined differently in different places. For example, in US states, some treat them as distinct, and others don’t.
But in the US, you’d have to look at the law in the state where the offense occurred. Generally, assault has to be an immediate, actionable threat, and battery will have levels of severity starting with putting one’s hands on someone, up to actions causing different degrees of injury. And then there’s sexual assault, which has its own definition, but one which would be unlikely to encompass leg-touching.
As a non-native speaker, I was confused about the battery charging.
“Assault” is a threat or attempt to harm someone. “Battery” is actually physical contact. Being “charged” in this context is being officially given criminal consequences, where you will have a court date and go to trial (or make a plea deal before trial).
“Assault” and “battery” are common-law terms that have been defined differently in different places. For example, in US states, some treat them as distinct, and others don’t.
In the UK, where common law originated, the definitions have been defined through centuries of case law and codified in legislation. The current state of play is this: https://www.lawcases.net/guides/assault-and-battery-in-english-law/
But in the US, you’d have to look at the law in the state where the offense occurred. Generally, assault has to be an immediate, actionable threat, and battery will have levels of severity starting with putting one’s hands on someone, up to actions causing different degrees of injury. And then there’s sexual assault, which has its own definition, but one which would be unlikely to encompass leg-touching.
In some states. This was a common Reddit distinction that isn’t true everywhere (but is here).
In Texas, it’s assault all the way down. Add a weapon, aggravated assault, etc.
Thanks 💖
I do know the words, I just never read them in that context, so I had to do the brain thing for a while.
It’s a specific legal term, most native English speakers get it wrong too, cause it’s not used in everyday conversation.
This should clear up any misunderstanding.
https://youtu.be/o0u4M6vppCI
I… So many questions.
And all of them answered by the magic of live theatre. You’re WELcome.