Assault is defined as the unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability to commit a violent injury on the person of another. CPC 240

 

Assault is a broad umbrella term for numerous offenses (ie: sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, child abuse, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, assault resulting in great bodily injury, assault with imitation firearm, assault upon spouse or cohabitant, and etc.). The offense of assault is usually coupled with battery (See Battery).

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Conviction of assault may lead to losing your right to bear arms, being subjected to unreasonable searches and seizures, and losing your voting rights.

 

Assault may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The maximum punishment for a misdemeanor is one-year in jail. Felony assault however is punishable by imprisonment for more than one-year. The punishment for felony assault is dependent on the form of assault itself.