---
title: "Can I be charged with assault if I did not make physical contact?"
description: "Yes. In Rhode Island, physical contact is not required for an assault charge. If your words or actions caused another person to have a reasonable fear of imminent physical harm, such as throwing a..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/can-i-be-charged-with-assault-if-i-did-not-make-physical-contact/
date: 2026-04-18
modified: 2026-04-29
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Can I be charged with assault if I did not make physical contact?

Yes. In Rhode Island, physical contact is not required for an assault charge. If your words or actions caused another person to have a reasonable fear of imminent physical harm, such as throwing a punch that misses or making a credible physical threat, you can be charged with assault even without touching the other person. Physical contact elevates the charge to include battery.