Battery is generally a harmful or offensive contact with another person, without the person’s consent. Battery may be the basis for a criminal charge or offense. The definition and penalties for battery vary from state to state, and are usually located in a state's penal or criminal code (statutes). In some states the crimes of assault and battery are merged into one criminal offense.

Battery is also recognized in tort law as an intentional tort, and may result in civil liability (money damages) in a lawsuit against a person who commits battery.

In Hawaii, battery is not defined as a separate offense in the criminal statutes; instead, it is encompassed under the offense of 'assault.' Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 707-710 to 707-713 define various degrees of assault, which include intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person, among other acts. The severity of the assault charge and the corresponding penalties depend on factors such as the degree of injury, the use of a dangerous instrument, and the status of the victim (e.g., law enforcement officer, emergency medical services provider). Penalties can range from misdemeanors to felonies, with more serious charges leading to longer prison sentences and higher fines. In civil law, battery in Hawaii is considered an intentional tort, meaning a person can sue for monetary damages if they have been subjected to harmful or offensive contact without their consent. This can result in compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and possibly punitive damages if the conduct was particularly egregious.