What is Battery (crime)?
[[File:Eo-scale2.png|thumb|200px|alt=|A balancing scale, commonly associated with law and justice.]] '''Battery''' is the intentional and [[wikt:offensive|offensive]] or [[wikt:harmful|harmful]] contact with another person.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://injury.findlaw.com/torts-and-personal-injuries/battery-basics.html |title=Battery Basics |publisher=FindLaw |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> The exact definition varies by [[jurisdiction]]. In [[criminal law]] the elements of battery are physical contact that causes harm or offensive contact without that person's consent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/battery |title=Battery |publisher=Cornell University Law School |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Battery is often confused with [[assault]] which is threatening battery. Battery is when the [[threat]] (assault) is carried out and the person is harmed in some way.<ref name=NOLO>{{cite web |url=http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/assault-battery-civil-vs-criminal-cases.html |title=Assault and Battery: Civil vs. Criminal Cases |publisher=NOLO |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Criminal battery and [[Battery (tort)|civil battery]] may be the same or differ slightly depending on jurisdiction. In many cases the act of battery can result in both criminal and civil [[Wikt:liability|liability]].<ref name=NOLO/> == Civil vs Criminal battery == Civil battery is a [[tort]]. It is a wrong committed against another person that results in damage.<ref name=NOLO/> It is also called an [[intentional tort]]. In most cases they are the result of [[negligence]], caused by [[Wikt:carelessness|carelessness]] or [[wikt:recklessness|recklessness]].<ref name=NOLO/> The person on whom the battery was committed, the [[victim]], may bring a [[lawsuit]] in court to collect monetary [[damages]].<ref name=HGlaw>{{cite web |url=http://www.hg.org/battery.html |title=Battery Law |publisher=HG Legal Resources |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Criminal battery is the result of breaking a [[law]] regarding harmin