Question

Why does it make sense that assault is a specific-intent crime, while battery is a general-intent crime?

Answer 1

A person who cause physical harm to another person, he will be charged to battery. If the victim is physically harmed by another person then such crime will be regarded as battery.

A person will be charged to assault , if there are mere threat of harm is present. In assault the victim is not harmed physically but only threatened.

In specific-intent crime the person do the act with an intention to obtain specific result. Specific-intent crime requires a person to unlawful act with a view to achieve certain objectives. Assault is specific intent because the convicted person try to harm other with a view to obtain certain objectives.

Whereas, in general-intent crime person just for the act without an intention to obtain specific result. General-intent crime require a person only to do the act. Person will be guilty in the eyes of law whether he is not aware that he is committing a crime. General intent crime does not require proof that a person gave harm to victim. Battery is general intent because it cause harm to the victim by physical touch.