Assault
18 Pa.C.S. 2701 — simple and aggravated assault, and how each is graded
In Pennsylvania, simple assault is attempting to cause, or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing, bodily injury to another; negligently causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon; or attempting by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
| Simple assault | The grade |
|---|---|
| Simple assaultIn a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent | The gradeMisdemeanor of the third degree |
| Simple assaultGenerally | The gradeMisdemeanor of the second degree |
| Simple assaultAgainst a child under 12 by a person 18 or older | The gradeMisdemeanor of the first degree |
Aggravated assault includes attempting to cause serious bodily injury, or causing it intentionally, knowingly or recklessly with extreme indifference to human life, which is a felony of the first degree. Attempting to cause or intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon is a felony of the second degree.
Bodily injury to an officer on duty is aggravated assault. Attempting to cause or intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a police officer, firefighter, sheriff, judge, public defender or another person the section lists, in the performance of duty, is a felony of the second degree. So is bodily injury to school staff acting in the scope of their employment, and to a child under six by a person 18 or older.
Sources for this section (2)
- 18 Pa.C.S. 2701 — Simple assault
- 18 Pa.C.S. 2702 — Aggravated assault
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.