A person can be guilty of which crime even if another person only perceives that the person intended to cause harm, because physical contact is not required?

• A. Battery
• B. Assault
• C. Negligence
• D. Homicide

Answer: (B)

Assault is about an intentional act that creates a reasonable fear of imminent harmful contact, and it does not require actual physical contact. If someone perceives that another intends to cause harm, that perception can establish assault because the threat itself causes anticipation of harm, even without touching. Battery would require actual physical contact, which isn’t present here. Negligence involves failing to exercise reasonable care, not an intentional threat. Homicide involves causing the death of someone, which isn’t indicated by merely perceiving an intent to harm.