In common law, assault is satisfied by which of the following?

• A. Creating apprehension (fear)
• B. Actual battery
• C. Injury
• D. Confinement

Answer: (D)

Assault in common law is about the intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. The key is the victim’s perception of an immediate threat, not actual contact. The defendant must intend to cause that apprehension, and the threat must be such that a reasonable person would expect harmful or offensive contact to occur right away. Injury or physical touching isn’t required for assault. Battery is the actual harmful or offensive contact, while false imprisonment involves complete confinement or restraint of movement—distinct torts. So the moment an act would lead a reasonable person to fear that harmful contact is forthcoming, and that fear is imminent, the action qualifies as assault.