Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

What constitutes battery in a legal sense?

1. Unintentional, harmless contact

2. Physical contact intended to harm someone

3. A consensual physical interaction

4. Any physical altercation, whether harmful or not

The correct answer is: Physical contact intended to harm someone

Battery in a legal context is defined as the intentional and unlawful physical contact with another person that causes harm or offense. This definition encompasses the requirement that the contact must be deliberate, showing that the individual had the intention to make the contact. This intention can be direct or indirect, but it must be purposeful rather than accidental. The notion of harm in battery does not necessarily have to result in physical injury; it can also include offensive contact that would be considered inappropriate or unwelcome by a reasonable person. Therefore, option B clearly captures the essence of battery by highlighting the intentional aspect and the potential for harm, distinguishing it from accidental or benign interactions. In contrast, other options depict scenarios that do not meet the legal criteria for battery: unintentional contact does not fulfill the intention requirement, consensual interactions do not constitute battery as both parties agree to the contact, and a general physical altercation may include instances without the requisite intent to harm, thus not meeting the definition of battery.