Assault is defined as the threat of immediate physical harm.  No actual physical touching is necessary, and in fact if there is a touching the act is no longer classified as assault but as battery.  The threat must be of immediate harm, therefore a threat to do future harm will not be considered assault. A person can be liable for both assault and battery together or as separate crimes.  Additionally, assault is a tort and therefore a person can also be liable in a civil a suit for the illegal act. 

Assault and Battery Sub-categories