What characterizes assault in the 2nd degree?

The characteristic that defines second-degree assault is the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury to another person. This means that the offender acts with a specific intent or knowledge that their actions are likely to cause significant harm. The severity of the injuries involved also plays a critical role in this classification, distinguishing it from lesser forms of assault that might not result in serious physical harm.

In contrast, other definitions like unintentional injury without harmful intent describe scenarios that typically fall under different legal categories, such as negligence or accidental harm, rather than assault. Threatening harm without physical contact is more aligned with verbal threats or harassment, and does not meet the threshold for physical injury required in second-degree assault. Similarly, involvement of more than one assailant can be pertinent in assessing the severity of a situation, but it is not a defining factor of the crime itself in terms of legal classification. Thus, identifying second-degree assault specifically relies on the intent to cause serious physical injury.