Pennsylvania, an offender can be charged with simple assault if they: injure someone else recklessly, knowingly, or purposefully accidentally injure someone with a firearm or weapon cause a needle-stick to an officer or correctional employee during a search or arrest threaten or intimidate someone causing fear of imminent serious bodily injury A person convicted of simple assault can be ordered to up to two years in prison as a second-degree misdemeanor. An offender can be charged with aggravated assault if the offender: demonstrates extreme indifference to the victim's life injures or threatens to injure a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, firefighter, police officer, or teacher on duty, or for incapacitating any of these individuals A person convicted of aggravated assault can face up to 10 years in prison as a second-degree felony. However, if the crime is perpetrated against a firefighter or police officer, the offender may face first-degree felony charges carrying a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Tennessee In Tennessee assault is defined as follows: See also Domestic violence Gay bashing Hate crime Mayhem Offences against the Person Act 1861 Citations General and cited references External links A guide to the non fatal offences against the person Crimes