What constitutes simple battery in Georgia?

Simple battery in Georgia is defined as making physical contact with another person in a manner that is considered either harmful or provoking. This means that even slight contact, if it is done intentionally and in a way that is offensive or causes a reasonable person to feel provoked, can constitute simple battery. It is crucial to note that the contact does not need to result in injury or significant harm; rather, the nature of the contact itself and the intent of the person making it are key factors.

The other options do not meet the legal definition of simple battery. For example, a mere threat of violence does not involve any physical contact and would fall under different offense categories, such as terroristic threats. Intentionally causing physical harm, while it seems related, is a higher threshold that aligns more with aggravated battery or other serious offenses, as it involves injury rather than just contact. A verbal confrontation does not involve any physical interaction and is therefore not relevant to the definition of simple battery.