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 New Hampshire, battery is not defined as a separate criminal offense but is encompassed under the general term 'assault.' New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 631:2-a defines 'Simple Assault' as purposely or knowingly causing bodily injury or unprivileged physical contact to another, which can include acts that would be considered battery in other states. Depending on the severity, an assault can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Additionally, New Hampshire recognizes battery as an intentional tort in civil law, meaning that a victim can sue the perpetrator for monetary damages. The civil action for battery involves proving that the defendant intentionally performed a harmful or offensive contact with the plaintiff without consent.