inflicting physical harm or unwanted physical contact upon a person
In some specific legal definitions, a threat or attempt to commit such an action.
Assault refers to a credible threat or attempt to cause battery
PUNISHMENTS
Legal systems generally acknowledge that assaults can vary greatly in severity.
In the United States, an assault can be charged as either a misdemeanour or a felony.
It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in criminal prosecution, civil liability, or both.
In English law, s. 58 Children Act 2004 limits the availability of the lawful correction defense to common assault under s. 39 Criminal Justice Act 1988.