What elevates battery to felony battery according to the material?

• A. Caused significant injury, GBI, permanent disability, or disfigurement
• B. A simple scratch
• C. No prior convictions
• D. A verbal threat

Answer: (A)

Battery becomes a felony when the victim suffers serious harm as a result of the act. According to the material, the elevating factors are causing significant injury, great bodily harm (GBI), permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. This level of injury shows the offense has moved from a basic battery to aggravated (felony) battery because the harm is substantial and lasting. A simple scratch wouldn’t meet that threshold, and the offender’s prior convictions don’t change the classification—the charge depends on the actual harm caused, not the defendant’s record. A verbal threat isn’t battery at all, since battery requires unwanted physical contact.