Violent crimes come in all shapes and sizes. Assault is one of the broader categories of violent criminal offenses, and many people in Missouri get charged with assault offenses every year.
The term “assault” can refer to a number of different behaviors. Most people associate the word assault with physical violence intended to cause harm to another person, however, quite a few other behaviors also fall under the umbrella of assault.
Knowing how Missouri defines assault can help you make better decisions in social situations to avoid actions that might constitute assault or help you better plan to defend yourself against pending charges.
Assault often involves unwanted bodily contact
Someone doesn’t have to cause another person an injury to be guilty of assault. Grabbing someone or touching them in a way that they find insulting or provocative could also constitute assault. Someone commits assault if they slap another person or touch them in an unwanted or inappropriate manner, even if that physical contact doesn’t result in physical injuries.
More severe forms of assault involve serious bodily injury
Assault can also occur when one person engages in behavior intended to harm another. For example, tripping someone with a foot or making it likely that they would trip by moving furniture or flooring to tangle their feet could constitute assault, especially if done at a point where it would be likely for the other party to fall and suffer serious injuries. An action that results in harm to another, especially if it was intended to cause harm, could easily constitute assault.
Assault also involves making someone fear for their physical safety
You don’t actually have to make physical contact with someone or facilitate an injury to them to face assault charges. Words or actions that imply you intend to cause harm are enough to constitute assault if they make the other person involved fear for their physical safety.
Given that the offensiveness or threat involved in someone’s behavior is subjective, it’s important to understand that what might not seem like assault to you may me feel like a violent offense to someone else. Those arrested for or charged with assault will benefit from learning more about the charges against them and their options for creating a defense strategy.
