What is the legal definition of assault?

The legal definition of assault primarily involves the intentionality behind the act of threatening or attempting to cause harmful or offensive contact without consent. This means that a person can be charged with assault even if they did not actually make physical contact, as long as they intended to create a fear of such contact. The essence of assault lies in the intent and the perceived threat to the victim, which distinguishes it from other forms of harm that might involve actual physical contact or injury.

In contrast, harmful physical contact relates more to battery, which involves actual physical injury. Inadvertent physical contact that causes injury does not meet the intentional standard required for an assault charge, as the act must be willful. Verbal threats without any attempt or threat of physical action can fall short of the legal definition since there must be a clear indication of an intention to create a fear of contact. Therefore, the correct definition encapsulates the need for intent to threaten, making option B the accurate choice.