Article 120: Assault and Related Offenses

In New York law, Article 120 refers to assault and related offenses including reckless assault, aggravated assault, assault in the first degree and more. If you have been charged with such an offense, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.

There are various degrees of assault in New York and each carries its own set of potential penalties and legal considerations. Visit our Assault Charges page for more information.

The complete law is as follows:

Article 120: Assault and Related Offenses

120.00 Assault in the third degree.
120.01 Reckless assault of a child by a child day care provider.
120.02 Reckless assault of a child.
120.03 Vehicular assault in the second degree.
120.04 Vehicular assault in the first degree.
120.04a Aggravated vehicular assault.
120.05 Assault in the second degree.
120.06 Gang assault in the second degree.
120.07 Gang assault in the first degree.
120.08 Assault on a peace officer, police officer, fireman or emergency medical services professional.
120.09 Gang assault in the second degree.
120.10 Assault in the first degree.
120.11 Aggravated assault upon a police officer or a peace officer.
120.12 Aggravated assault upon a person less than eleven years old.
120.13 Menacing in the first degree.
120.14 Menacing in the Second Degree.
120.15 Menacing in the Third Degree.
120.16 Hazing in the First Degree.
120.17 Hazing in the Second Degree.
120.18 Menacing a Police Officer or Peace Officer.
120.20 Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree.
120.25 Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree.
120.30 Promoting a suicide attempt.
120.35 Promoting a suicide attempt; when punishable as attempt to commit murder – NY
120.40 Definitions.
120.45 Stalking in the fourth degree.
120.50 Stalking in the third degree.
120.55 Stalking in the second degree.
120.60 Stalking in the first degree.
120.70 Luring a child.


NY Penal Law § 120.00

Assault in the third degree.

A person is guilty of assault in the third degree when:

  1. With intent to cause physical injury to another person, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person; or
  2. He recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or
  3. With criminal negligence, he causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument.

Assault in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor.