What is the difference between an assault and a battery? The answer is simple. A battery involves physical contact; an assault does not.

Specifically, for a battery to occur, the perpetrator must make unwanted physical contact with another person. The contact can be direct or indirect, such as with a projectile or by throwing open a door. Of course, the perpetrator would need to know that their action would result in contact — an accidental touching is not a battery.

Importantly, any unwanted touching, whether or not it results in bodily harm, counts as a battery here in Idaho. Indeed, the lightest of shoves could land you in jail.

An assault, on the other hand, can be effectuated in one of two ways. The first way to assault somebody is to attempt to commit a violent injury against thei

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