Battery charge refers to the criminal offense of unlawful physical contact with another person, which is distinct from assault, which is the act of creating apprehension of such contact). Battery is defined as any willful and unlawful use of force or violence on someone else, which requires that a person actually inflict harmful or offensive contact on the victim. The legal definition of battery is intentionally causing harm to, or offensively touching, another person (without their consent or intentional involvement in the action) . The main difference between a battery charge and an assault charge is the actual presence of harm and the threat of harm. Someone can only be charged with battery if they have caused real physical harm to someone, while a person can be charged with assault if the mere threat of harm is present.