{"id":372251,"date":"2018-08-16T18:18:43","date_gmt":"2018-08-16T23:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-06-10T11:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:15:00","slug":"district-of-columbia-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Assault Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Assault Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Assault in the District of Columbia<\/span> is threatening or attempting to cause bodily injury to another person, or engaging in menacing behavior that causes fear of harm. DC law<\/span> recognizes three main types: simple assault<\/span> (misdemeanor<\/span> or felony), aggravated assault<\/span>, and assault on a law enforcement officer<\/span>, each with different penalties. Penalties range from 180 days in jail for misdemeanor<\/span> simple assault<\/span> to 10 years in prison for aggravated assault<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It’s easy to confuse assault and battery, since many people use the terms either interchangeably or together. You’ve probably heard of someone committing “assault and battery<\/a>.” However, while these criminal offenses<\/span><\/a> are similar, they are distinct charges. The elements of the two crimes differ, as do the penalties and defenses. Most jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia<\/span>, have separate assault laws, with the crime of battery included in the assault statute.<\/p>\n

Here, we will explain how Washington, D.C<\/span>. defines the crime of assault. We will also discuss the different levels of assault, including the penalties and defenses to these crimes.<\/p>\n

If you’re facing assault charges<\/span> in DC, you should contact a local criminal defense lawyer<\/a> right away. They can review the prosecution’s case and help craft a strong defense strategy.<\/p>\n

How Is Assault Different from Battery?<\/h2>\n

Generally, the law defines assault as threatening or attempting to cause significant bodily injury<\/span> to another person. Battery<\/a>, on the other hand, involves actually making unwanted contact with another person.<\/p>\n

Many battery cases also involve an assault, but not all assault cases<\/span> involve a battery. For example, if a patron in a bar threatens to hit another customer over the head with a bottle, this is assault. If they follow through with their threat, they have committed a battery. It’s not often that a person would commit a battery without also committing an assault. However, it’s certainly possible for someone to threaten another individual without carrying out their threat.<\/p>\n

How Does the D.C. Code<\/span> Define Assault?<\/h2>\n

D.C. criminal law<\/a> recognizes three main types of assault:<\/p>\n