One of the important elements of aggravated assault is proving serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury is considered an extremely high level of injury to prove if a prosecutor wants to secure a conviction for aggravated assault.
In DC assault cases involving serious bodily injury, the prosecutor must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the person caused serious bodily injury to another individual to prove aggravated assault. They either intended to cause serious bodily injury or knew that serious bodily injury would result from their conduct. The person was aware that their conduct created an extreme risk of serious bodily injury and under the circumstances, demonstrated an extreme indifference to human life.