[header] How to defend yourself against assault charges [title] Learn the exact elements of the offense. [step] Since assault is defined differently in nearly every jurisdiction, find out what the legal elements are so you know what the prosecution will have to prove. [substeps] Generally, assault comes before battery. 
You assault someone if you put them in fear that you are imminently going to strike them physically, with the intent to hurt them. Although it seems like an attempted crime, it actually is a complete crime in and of itself.