{"id":371490,"date":"2017-08-18T19:06:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-19T00:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-assault-and-battery-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-22T13:30:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T18:30:59","slug":"arizona-assault-and-battery-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-assault-and-battery-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Assault and Battery Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Arizona Assault and Battery Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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
\n

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\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Arizona<\/span> law<\/span> does not recognize \u201cbattery\u201d as a criminal charge<\/span>. Instead, the state utilizes two categories of assault: simple assault<\/span> and aggravated assault<\/span>. Arizona<\/span>‘s aggravated <\/span>assault<\/span> charge<\/span> includes what other states classify as battery, along with additional serious assault scenarios.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Criminal assault and battery are also different from the torts of \u201cassault and battery.\u201d The elements are similar, but a tort is a civil wrong, and the victim can receive monetary compensation from the tortfeasor. A criminal charge<\/span> of assault<\/a> is a statutory offense, with penalties of fines and possible imprisonment. Like some other states, Arizona<\/span> has dropped \u201cbattery\u201d as a criminal charge<\/span> and now categorizes all types of harmful contact as \u201cassault.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arizona<\/span> Assault<\/span> Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n

In Arizona<\/span>, simple assault<\/span><\/a> is a misdemeanor<\/span>. Aggravated assault<\/span><\/a> is a felony. The degree of the offense depends on the type of contact and other factors, such as whether a weapon was involved. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what makes them different.<\/p>\n

Assault<\/h3>\n

Assault, or simple assault<\/span>, does not require physical contact<\/span>. Misdemeanor<\/span> assault<\/span> includes any of these actions:<\/p>\n