bat·tery /'ba-tə-rē, -trē/ n [Old French batterie beating, from battre to beat, from Latin battuere]: the crime or tort of intentionally or recklessly causing offensive physical contact or bodily harm (as by striking or by administering a poison or drug) that is not consented to by the victim compare assault
aggravated battery: criminal battery that is accompanied by aggravating factors: as
a: criminal battery that causes or is intended to cause serious bodily injury esp. through the use of a dangerous weapon
b: criminal battery committed on a protected person (as a minor or a police officer) compare simple battery in this entry
◇ Aggravated battery is usu. classified as a felony.
sex·u·al battery: intentional and offensive sexual contact and esp. sexual intercourse with a person who has not given or (as in the case of a child) is incapable of giving consent; broadly: forced or coerced contact with the sexual parts of either the victim or the perpetrator see also rape
◇ This is a broad definition of the offense. The specific elements of this crime vary from state to state, and some states use more narrow definitions.
simple battery: criminal battery that is not accompanied by aggravating factors (as a dangerous weapon) compare aggravated battery in this entry
◇ Simple battery is usu. classified as a misdemeanor.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.