The Legal Minute: Assault vs. Battery: The Legal Line Between Threat and Touch

n this episode of The Legal Minute, we break down one of the most common misconceptions in tort law — the difference between assault and battery. You’ll learn how the law distinguishes between a mere threat that creates fear and the actual act of harmful or offensive contact.

Through simple, relatable examples, I’ll explain how someone can commit assault without ever laying a finger on you, and how battery doesn’t always require injury — just unwanted physical contact.

Whether you’re a law student, podcast listener curious about the law, or someone brushing up for a bar exam, this 60-second episode makes the distinction crystal clear.

Stay tuned, and in just one minute, you’ll never confuse these two intentional torts again.