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 Washington State, the term 'battery' is not used explicitly in the criminal code. Instead, Washington law refers to 'assault' which encompasses what many other states might refer to as both assault and battery. Under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9A.36, assault can range from simple assault to assault in the first degree, with varying degrees of severity and associated penalties. Simple assault, or assault in the fourth degree, is considered a gross misdemeanor, while more serious forms of assault can be classified as felonies with more severe penalties. In civil law, Washington recognizes battery as an intentional tort, meaning that a victim can sue the perpetrator for monetary damages. The elements of a civil battery claim in Washington typically include an intentional act by the defendant that causes harmful or offensive contact with the plaintiff's person without the plaintiff's consent.