What are some defenses to a charge of assault and battery?

There are a couple such as the aggressor defense and the
mutual combat defense. The aggressor defense is simply that the other party to the case
was the aggressor and that the defendant was merely acting in self defense. Perfect or
imperfect self defense can then be shown by proving that the use of force was necessary
and the amount of force used was appropriate.

The mutual
combat defense is one that states the parties engaged in the struggle willingly and were
mutually fighting. Law enforcement agencies are aware of this particular defense and
thus many times will charge the individuals with a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.
The mutual combat defense is harder to prove than the aggressor
defense.

Other defenses include the reasonable disciplining
of a child by a parent or gaurdian or that the conduct was necessary and lawful to
detain a suspect, prevent suicide, or to prevent escape of someone who is being lawfully
detained.