Battery

Any physical contact without justification, either by a person or with an object, with the intent of causing harm or insult to a victim can be classified as a battery in civil tort law as well as criminal law. Even if there is no apparent physical injury, the intent with which the contact is carried out is still punishable. When battery is committed with the intention to cause serious harm or murder, then it is termed as aggravated battery. If a battery is committed, the defendant may be required to pay civil penalties for the damage caused, and for a criminal battery, either punishment, a fine, or both may be imposed.