Assault and battery are two distinct crimes, although they are often used interchangeably in conversation. The main difference between the two offenses is that while an assault does not necessarily involve any actual physical contact with another person, a battery does. Assault refers to the act of causing someone to reasonably fear imminent harm, while battery refers to the actual act of physically harming someone.

For example, pointing a gun at someone is assault, while hitting them is battery. In legal terms, assault is any action that has the intent to damage or disturb or unlawfully abrogate the rights of another person, while battery is any action that involves the application of force in order to cause bodily harm.

Its important to note that the definition of both crimes differs from state to state, and in some states, they are grouped together. The penalties for both crimes vary depending on the severity of the offense and the jurisdiction in which it occurred. In general, both crimes are typically charged as misdemeanors punishable by jail time and fines, but if deadly weapons or serious injuries were involved, then assault and battery can be prosecuted as felonies carrying prison sentences.

If someone is accused of either of these crimes, they can fight the case by asserting a legal defense, such as acting in self-defense or being falsely accused.