Which statement best describes an assault + battery offense?

• A. Unlawful or offensive touching committed willfully
• B. Threat without touching
• C. Battery without touching
• D. Simple assault requires threats only

Answer: (A)

Understanding the combined offense means recognizing that both elements must be present: a deliberate action to cause harmful or offensive contact, and the actual contact itself. The statement that describes an assault + battery as an unlawful or offensive touching committed willfully is capturing both parts at once. “Willfully” shows intent, addressing the assault portion, while “unlawful or offensive touching” covers the contact that makes it battery. Together, they describe a scenario where a person intentionally touches another in a way that is unlawful or offensive.

B refers only to threats without touching, which would be assault but not the battery component. C suggests battery without touching, which is impossible since battery requires contact. D asserts that simple assault requires threats only, which isn’t accurate because simple assault can include either threats or attempts that place someone in fear of imminent harm, not solely threats.