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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Crimes & Offences

Assault

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/əˈsɔːlt/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, assault means: The crime of attacking someone physically or, in strict legal use, making someone fear that they are about to be attacked.

In Turkish: saldırı, kasten yaralama, müessir fiil

How it is used

Used as a noun ('charged with assault', 'sexual assault') and a verb ('he assaulted a police officer'). English law separates 'common assault' from more serious offences such as 'actual bodily harm' (ABH) and 'grievous bodily harm' (GBH). American law often speaks of 'aggravated assault'.

Example sentences

  1. He was arrested for assault after a fight outside a nightclub.

  2. Assaults on hospital staff have increased this year.

  3. She was charged with assaulting a police officer.

Common collocations

  • charged with assault
  • common assault
  • sexual assault
  • aggravated assault
  • assault a police officer
  • offenceA formal word for an illegal act that the law punishes, from minor ones such as speeding to serious ones such as robbery.
  • self-defenceThe legal right to use reasonable force to protect yourself or another person from an attack; it can be a complete defence to a criminal charge.
  • aggravating factorA fact about a crime that makes it more serious and can lead to a longer or heavier sentence, such as using a weapon or targeting a vulnerable victim.
  • domestic violenceViolent, threatening or controlling behaviour by one person against a partner, former partner or family member.

More terms: Crimes & Offences

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.