Editing Assault (section)

=== Australia ===
The term 'assault', when used in legislation, commonly refers to both common assault and battery, even though the two offences remain distinct. Common assault involves intentionally or recklessly causing a person to apprehend the imminent infliction of unlawful force, whilst battery refers to the actual infliction of force.<ref>{{cite AustLII|NSWCA|431|2004|litigants=Darby v DPP |parallelcite=(2004) 61 [[NSW Law Reports|NSWLR]] 558 |courtname=auto}}.</ref>

Each state has legislation relating to the act of assault, and offences against the act that constitute assault are heard in the [[magistrates' court]] of that state or indictable offences are heard in a district or supreme court of that state. The legislation that defines assault of each state outline what the elements are that make up the assault, where the assault is sectioned in legislation or criminal codes, and the penalties that apply for the offence of assault.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.findlaw.com.au/articles/4274/assault-laws-in-australia-definitions-and-defences.aspx|title=Assault Laws in Australia: Definitions and Defences|website=findlaw.com.au|access-date=2016-03-12}}</ref>

In New South Wales, the [[Crimes Act 1900]]<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900}}.</ref> defines a range of assault offences deemed more serious than common assault and which attract heavier penalties. These include:

====Assault with further specific intent====
* Acts done to the person with intent to murder<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|27}}</ref>
* Wounding or grievous bodily harm<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|33}}</ref>
* Use or possession of a weapon to resist arrest<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|33B}}</ref>

====Assault causing certain injuries====
* Actual bodily harm<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|59}}</ref> – the term is not defined in the ''Crimes Act'', but case law indicates actual bodily harm may include injuries such as bruises and scratches,<ref name="AustLII">{{cite AustLII|NSWCCA|305|2009|litigants=R v McIntyre |courtname=auto}}.</ref> as well as psychological injuries<ref>{{cite AustLII|NSWCCA|442|2005|litigants=Li v R |courtname=auto}}.</ref> if the injury inflicted is more than merely transient (the injury does not necessarily need to be permanent)<ref>''R v Donovan'' [1934] 2 [[Kings Bench Law Reports|KB]] 498; [http://www.austlii.edu.au/nz/cases/NZPoliceLawRp/1934/8.pdf (1934) 5 New Zealand Police Law Reports 247].</ref>
* Wounding<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|35}}(4).</ref> – where there is breaking of the skin;<ref name="AustLII"/>
* Grievous bodily harm<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|35}}(2).</ref> – which includes the destruction of a fetus, permanent or serious disfiguring, and transmission of a grievous bodily disease<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|4}}.</ref>

====Assault causing death====
* Death<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|25a}}</ref>
* Death when intoxicated (in regards to the offender)<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|NSW|act|ca190082|Crimes Act 1900|25b}}</ref>