An aggravated assault is an assault with which of the following?

• A. A deadly weapon
• B. A firearm only
• C. A verbal threat
• D. No weapon

Answer: (A)

The situation tests what makes an assault aggravated: the involvement of a weapon capable of causing serious injury. A deadly weapon is the key factor, and while a firearm certainly qualifies, the term covers more than just guns—knives, clubs, blunt instruments, or other instruments used to threaten or injure can also meet the definition. Verbal threats don’t involve the use or display of a weapon and therefore don’t rise to aggravated assault, and having no weapon at all also isn’t aggravating. So the defining element is the presence or use of a deadly weapon during the assault.