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Pennsylvania · Through 2026-08-31 (Statute Update stamp, 18 Pa.C.S.)

18 Pa.C.S. § 2701: Simple assault.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES
  2. PART II DEFINITION OF SPECIFIC OFFENSES
  3. ARTICLE B OFFENSES INVOLVING DANGER TO THE PERSON
  4. CHAPTER 27 ASSAULT

(a) Offense defined.--Except as provided under section 2702 (relating to aggravated assault), a person is guilty of assault if he:

(1) attempts to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another;

(2) negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon;

(3) attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or

(4) conceals or attempts to conceal a hypodermic needle on his person and intentionally or knowingly penetrates a law enforcement officer or an officer or an employee of a correctional institution, county jail or prison, detention facility or mental hospital during the course of an arrest or any search of the person.

(b) Grading.--Simple assault is a misdemeanor of the second degree unless committed:

(1) in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, in which case it is a misdemeanor of the third degree; or

(2) against a child under 12 years of age by a person 18 years of age or older, in which case it is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Collected 2026-09-02T16:31:28Z. Source file · JSON

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