Battery is generally a harmful or offensive contact with another person, without the person’s consent. Battery may be the basis for a criminal charge or offense. The definition and penalties for battery vary from state to state, and are usually located in a state's penal or criminal code (statutes). In some states the crimes of assault and battery are merged into one criminal offense.
Battery is also recognized in tort law as an intentional tort, and may result in civil liability (money damages) in a lawsuit against a person who commits battery.
In Wyoming, battery is defined as the intentional, knowing, or reckless touching or striking of another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner without the person's consent. This definition is found in Wyoming Statutes under Title 6 (Crimes and Offenses), specifically in the sections dealing with assault and battery. Criminal battery can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the contact and the harm caused. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, Wyoming recognizes battery as an intentional tort in civil law, which means that a victim can sue the perpetrator in civil court to seek monetary damages for injuries suffered as a result of the battery. The civil case is separate from any criminal proceedings and requires the victim to prove the elements of battery by a preponderance of the evidence to obtain a judgment for damages.