How is assault characterized in a legal context?

Assault in a legal context is characterized as intentional or reckless harm without reasonable excuse. This definition acknowledges that assault involves a conscious decision to inflict either physical injury or apprehension of harm on another individual. The key elements here are the intention or recklessness of the perpetrator, indicating that the act was not a matter of negligence or happenstance but rather a willful action or a disregard for the potential consequences of one's behavior.

This definition distinguishes assault from negligence, which involves a failure to meet a standard of care leading to unintended harm. It also sets assault apart from mere physical confrontations or verbal threats, as those may not always meet the criteria of intentionality or recklessness needed to classify an act as assault. The emphasis on 'without reasonable excuse' further underscores that any justification that could mitigate responsibility must be present to absolve an individual from liability for their actions.