Which defines simple assault?

Simple assault is characterized by inflicting bodily injury, causing impairment of physical condition, or inducing pain in another individual. This definition encompasses a range of behaviors that can occur without requiring severe injury or significant physical harm. The focus is on the direct impact on the victim’s physical state, which can include actual physical harm or the perception of being harmed, thus encapsulating both physical and emotional distress tied to injury.

In contrast to other definitions, serious bodily injury or death would fall under a different category, typically associated with aggravated assault or more severe charges that involve significant harm. Threatening behavior, although potentially intimidating, does not include physical contact or injury and therefore does not meet the criteria for simple assault. Lastly, while any attempt to cause harm could seem applicable, it does not necessarily align with the legal standard that requires an actual injury, thus distinguishing simple assault from broader concepts of assault.