Intro to Second Degree Assault

Second degree assault happens when an individual intentionally causes or attempts to cause physical injury to another, and states may classify it as a felony or misdemeanor. For instance, in Colorado, assault in the second degree is a felony punishable by up to 12 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. Yet, in Maryland, the assault is considered a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 10 years.

A frequent query arises in such instances — how serious is 2nd degree assault? Indeed, given that it could result in stiff penalties — including years of imprisonment and substantial fines — it's a question of significant importance. Second degree assault is one of the most common charges a defendant may face for threatening to inflict physical or emotional injury to another.

Although there is no universal federal law defining assault or second degree assault, individual state laws take into account various facets of a defendant's actions to evaluate if an assault has occurred. When considering what is assault second degree, it's essential to understand it typically involves intentionally causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another person. A cease and desist letter is critical legal proof of warning the person who tried to do illegal actions of potential police and court involvement.

In general, however, states consider the following elements to qualify as a definition of 2nd degree assault:

Even if the defendant’s actions do not result in actual or physical harm, it might still constitute a second degree assault if the intention was to cause injury or fear. In some jurisdictions, injury can include emotional or psychological harm and not just physical damage.

During the trial of the Plemmons case, although the act of spitting did not physically harm the officers, the jury found that she intended to cause harm or offensive contact to the deputies.

In California, “capability,” or the ability to carry out a threat, is an additional element required for a 2nd degree assault punishment conviction. An accused must be able to carry out the actual harm, meaning empty threats may not be sufficient grounds for a conviction of assault.

For the state of New York, a second assault charge requires the element of actual harm or injury, not merely placing another in imminent fear of injury.

It’s also essential to distinguish between assault and battery. As mentioned earlier, assault places another person in fear of imminent harm. If the assault resulted in actual injury, then the perpetrator of the assault may also be charged with battery. State law considers both crimes and torts, each with a distinct set of penalties. In some states, officials will prosecute the accused person separately for both offenses, while in others, as one offense – assault and battery.

States categorize assaults into simple or aggravated.

Aggravated assault, classified as a felony, is an assault that involves intent to cause serious injury through the use of a firearm or deadly weapon or other aggravating circumstances. It may also include using hands, arms, feet, fists, and teeth. Penalties and fines are usually heavier for aggravated assault.

Simple assault involves intentional acts to cause fear or apprehension of physical harm or offensive contact. Such an assault is not as severe as those defined in aggravated assault, and state law may classify it as a misdemeanor offense. It's important to remember that contemplating the second degree assault jail time that can be quite substantial, often involving several years in prison, depending on the specific state law.

The law categorizes assault into four degrees, usually from the first to the fourth. The first is the most severe and often involves deadly weapons, dangerous instruments, or the intent to kill. As a consequence, first-degree assault convictions entail the heaviest penalties.

Third-degree assault is less serious and less severe than second degree assault. Second degree assault is still a felony charge, which, in most states, entails a permanent record for those convicted.

Although these categorizations may vary depending on the jurisdiction, they usually involve these five factors:

When evaluating second degree assault examples, the case of Plemmons provides significant insights. After Plemmons’ conviction, she went to the Colorado Court of Appeals to challenge it. Her primary defense was that she was involuntarily intoxicated by the medication she was on at the time of the incident. However, the trial jury rejected her defense and found her guilty, and the court of appeal also upheld the conviction.

Since most assault statutes are straightforward, involuntary intoxication is unlikely to hold up as a defense. The reason being merely being under the influence of alcohol or drugs would not usually constitute a valid defense against a second degree assault case. However, the defense may hold up if the accused can show that another person administered the substance, causing intoxication without their knowledge or consent, and it altered their mental state, including their judgment, cognition, or self-control. 

For Plemmons, her claim that her medication caused the intoxication could not hold up. So, what is a viable defense for an assault 2nd degree?

Depending on the facts of the case, a defense attorney may simply try to prove that the defendant did not intend to cause harm or that circumstances forced them to inflict injury. Moreover, if no defense seems available, getting the charges downgraded to a lower degree (e.g., from first to second degree) would also favor the accused. Parties may also attempt to reach a settlement to avoid tedious and expensive litigation. 

However, one should not downplay the severity of a second-degree assault sentence, which, depending on jurisdiction, can involve substantial fines and lengthy imprisonment. Thus, an effective defense strategy is crucial.

Despite the absence of a universal definition of second degree assault and its nuances and penalties, defense lawyers should be aware of the factors that determine how offenses are categorized and the common defenses against them.

Although potential defenses for second degree assault depend on the circumstances of a case, involuntary intoxication is usually not a viable defense. Unless, of course, the accused can show that the intoxication happened without the knowledge or consent of the defendant and it significantly altered their mental state.