If you are accused of assault or battery in Rhode Island, legal representation is an absolute necessity for your case. Battery is unwanted or offensive touching in a non-sexual nature of another, such as a slap or punch, where assault is an attempted battery. Assault does not require physical contact with the victim, while battery does in order for the charge to be substantiated. Simple assault and battery, both of which are criminal misdemeanors, can be punished by jail time or fines and penalties become far more serious when the crimes are domestic in nature.