What constitutes battery in a legal framework?

Battery, in a legal context, is defined as the unlawful touching of another person without their consent. This means that if one individual makes physical contact with another person in a way that is harmful or offensive, and does so without the other person's permission, they have committed battery. The key components of battery involve the intention to make contact and the nature of that contact being unwanted, which distinguishes it from other forms of assault.

For instance, battery does not require actual physical injury; even a touch that is deemed offensive or provoking can constitute battery if it occurs without consent. This established understanding of battery is crucial in legal cases where individuals seek justice for unwanted physical contact.

In contrast, verbal threats do not constitute battery as they do not involve physical contact. Additionally, a signed agreement indicates mutual consent to certain actions and does not involve unwanted physical interaction. Intentional emotional distress, while it may be actionable in tort law, is distinct from the physical aspect of battery because it pertains to psychological harm rather than physical contact. This distinction further emphasizes why the touching of another person without consent is the defining characteristic of battery in legal terms.