It is typically defined in criminal statutes as an assault carried out with a deadly weapon, with the intent to cause serious bodily injury, or under circumstances that show extreme disregard for human life. Although the exact definition varies by jurisdiction, the common theme is that the offense is considered more severe due to aggravating elements.

An assault becomes *aggravated* when a   aggravated assult  weapon such as a firearm, knife, blunt object, or even a vehicle is used or openly displayed in a threatening way. It can also be aggravated when no weapon is present, but the attacker causes or intends to cause grave physical harm—for example, breaking someone’s bones, choking them, or inflicting trauma likely to result in permanent disability. Aggravated assault also often includes assaults against certain protected victims, such as police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, elderly individuals, or assault committed during another felony.

Because of its seriousness, aggravated assault is almost always charged as a felony. Conviction can lead to significant penalties, including long jail or prison sentences, probation, mandatory counseling, fines, restraining orders, victim restitution, and long-term loss of civil rights such as gun ownership. Compared to simple assault—which might involve only minor injury or threat—aggravated assault reflects a heightened level of threat to public safety and is treated accordingly.

In short, aggravated assault is a legally recognized, higher-gravity form of assault that is tied either to the severity of the harm, the dangerousness of the method, or the protected status of the victim, and it carries correspondingly heavier criminal consequences.