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 Rhode Island, battery is considered a criminal offense and is defined under the state's criminal statutes. It involves harmful or offensive physical contact with another person without their consent. The specific statutes that address battery can be found in the Rhode Island General Laws, particularly under the sections dealing with assault since Rhode Island law often combines assault and battery into one offense. The penalties for battery can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and they vary depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is categorized as simple or aggravated battery. Additionally, battery is recognized as an intentional tort in civil law, meaning that a victim can sue the perpetrator in civil court to seek monetary damages for the harm suffered. This is separate from any criminal charges and can result in the liable party being ordered to pay compensation to the victim.