{"id":352034,"date":"2023-08-22T08:27:40","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T13:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/crimes-against-the-person.html"},"modified":"2023-08-22T08:27:40","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T13:27:40","slug":"crimes-against-the-person","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/crimes-against-the-person.html","title":{"rendered":"Crimes Against the Person"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Crimes Against the Person<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The term \u201ccrimes against the person" refers to a broad array of criminal offenses which usually involve bodily harm, the threat of bodily harm, or other actions committed against the will of an individual. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Crimes involving bodily harm (or the threat thereof) include battery, assault, and domestic violence. Additionally, offenses such as harassment, stalking, and kidnapping also are considered crimes against the person.<\/p>\r\n

This section contains several articles covering the basics of such crimes. It includes definitions and sentencing information. But every case is unique, so talk to a criminal defense attorney<\/a> about options in your case.<\/p>\r\n

You may also want to learn about first-degree murder, the death penalty, and other forms of homicide<\/a>. See other articles for the crimes of sexual abuse<\/a>, child abuse or neglect<\/a>, and human trafficking<\/a>. Or, you might want to learn how to file a civil lawsuit for assault<\/a> or battery.<\/p>\r\n

Assault and Battery<\/h2>\r\n

Assault is an intentional attempt, using violence or force, to injure or harm another, or to create a reasonable apprehension of immediate harm towards another. Battery is the act of intentional, nonconsensual touching or applying force to another person such that the person suffers physical harm or offense. Both are crimes of violence.<\/p>\r\n

Today, many states combine these offenses into one statute. Some states break out the crime of committing threats (menacing) as a separate offense. At the most basic level, a simple assault or a simple battery is a misdemeanor offense. The offender will face potential penalties of jail time, fines, and costs.<\/p>\r\n

Crimes of assault and battery<\/a> can rise to the level of a felony under certain circumstances. When one of these aggravating factors is present, the state may charge felonious or aggravated assault. State laws vary, but aggravating factors leading to criminal charges may include:<\/p>\r\n