An aggravated assault is a more serious offense than a simple assault. If the assault caused permanent or serious physical harm to the victim or if the victim was a member of one of the classes specified by law, the attacker may be charged with aggravated assault. Aggravated assault can be a fourth, third or second degree charge.
If a simple assault is committed against a school official, police officer, firefighter, EMS personnel or judge, it is a fourth degree aggravated assault. The penalty for this offense is a jail term of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $10,000.