At common law assault was distinguished from battery but nearly every state has merged the two offenses under the offense of assault.

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At common law, assault and battery were distinct offenses, with assault generally referring to an attempt or threat to cause harm, and battery referring to the actual physical contact or harm. However, in modern legal systems, many jurisdictions have combined these into a single offense often labeled as assault, which can encompass both the threat and the act of physical violence.

At Common Law Assault Was Distinguished from Battery but Nearly