Assault is a serious crime that involves causing harm or fear of harm to another person. The two primary types of assault charges are simple assault and aggravated assault. While they share similarities, there are also significant differences between the two charges.
Simple assault is the less serious of the two charges and is generally classified as a misdemeanor. Simple assault involves an intentional, unlawful act that causes harm or the threat of harm to another person. This can include hitting, pushing, or slapping someone, as well as threatening them with bodily harm.
Aggravated assault, on the other hand, is a more serious charge and is typically classified as a felony. It involves an intentional, unlawful act that causes serious bodily harm or the threat of serious bodily harm to another person. This can include using a deadly weapon, causing disfigurement, or inflicting injuries that require hospitalization or surgery.
Some other differences between simple assault and aggravated assault include:
- Severity of injury: Simple assault may cause minor injuries, while aggravated assault typically causes serious bodily harm.
- Use of a weapon: Aggravated assault often involves the use of a weapon, while simple assault typically does not.
- Intent: Aggravated assault involves a greater level of intent to cause harm, while simple assault may be committed in the heat of the moment or without intent to cause serious harm.
- Penalties: Aggravated assault carries steeper penalties, including potential imprisonment, fines, and other consequences.
In summary, while both simple assault and aggravated assault involve intentionally causing harm or the threat of harm to another person, the severity of the harm, use of a weapon, intent, and penalties associated with the charges differ significantly.