Sexual Battery

Sexual battery refers to sex crimes that are not covered by rape statutes, such as sexual abuse or sexual misconduct. Sexual battery is often characterized as sexual touching or penetration without consent of the person and achieved with the threat of or use of force.

Below, you'll find comprehensive information covering sexual battery including the laws for each state and answers to common questions.

Specific Laws in Selected States

D.C.
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Mississippi
New York
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee

An Overview of Sexual Battery Laws

Sexual Battery: Laws and Penalties

Sexual battery or criminal sexual contact is sexual conduct that does not involve penetration or sodomy, but does involve physical contact of a sexual nature without the other person’s consent.

Questions & Answers

Can I be charged with sexual battery when I mistakenly touched the complaining witness?

It is possible to be charged with sexual battery if you touched someone in an intimate part of the person’s body, even if it was a mistake. However, being charged with a crime does not mean you will be convicted, and mistake is a defense that is available to a defendant facing almost any type of criminal charge.

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