§ 2701. Simple assault.

280 words·~1 min read·/pa/title-18/chapter-27/2701

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(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.

18c2701v

(Dec. 19, 1988, P.L.1275, No.158, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2001, P.L.605, No.48, eff. 60 days; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1391, No.172, eff. 60 days; Dec. 18, 2013, P.L.1198, No.118, eff. Jan. 1, 2014)

2013 Amendment. Act 118 amended subsecs.

(a)and (b)(2).

Cross References. Section 2701 is referred to in sections 2709.1, 2711, 2712, 6105.1, 9158 of this title; sections 5329, 6711 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); sections 5920, 9720.8, 9774.1 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure); section 2303 of Title 44 (Law and Justice); sections 4503, 4601 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole).

18c2702s