Aggravated assault is a more serious form of threat than ordinary assault. This may be because the threat was made with a deadly weapon, or with intent to rape, maim, or murder. So if someone threatens another while holding a large stick, that is probably simple assault, but if the assailant has a gun or knife, that would most likely be the more serious crime of aggravated assault. If the assailant holding the stick threatens to rape or kill the victim, that might also be aggravated assault. Not all jurisdictions use this term, but all of them will punish an assault with a firearm more severely than an assault with a stick or a fist, so the end result is similar.

(Reviewed 12-08)