Technically, I think it was battery, not assault
Assault is putting someone in the reasonable fear of battery. Battery is actually hitting them.
Normally, you get assault by itself, or an escalation to assault & battery. But if you just walk right up to someone and slap them, I think that's battery without assault since the victim had no idea it was coming.
But that doesn't change your point. I'd hope law enforcement has better things to do than intervene in a spat between celebrities over a joke that was poorly received. Rock would have every right to press charges, but that would sure feel like an utterly unnecessary escalation. Rock is coming out of this looking like he has class and Smith looks the buffoon. I'd leave it at that if I were Rock.
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In response to this post by fordham)
Posted: 03/28/2022 at 10:11AM