Touching, including poking with a finger, is an example of which offense?

• A. Theft
• B. Robbery
• C. Battery
• D. Simple Assault

Answer: (C)

Touching someone without their consent, even something as simple as poking with a finger, is battery because it involves actual physical contact that is unwanted and offensive. Battery is the unlawful contact that a reasonable person would find harmful or offensive, regardless of whether any injury occurs. The other options don’t fit: theft and robbery involve taking property, not physical contact with a person; simple assault involves threats or attempts to cause harm or some action that could cause injury, whereas this scenario has completed contact, making battery the correct offense.