Which statement best describes simple assault?

• A. Involves touching and contact.
• B. No touching involved, only gestures.
• C. Requires deadly weapon.
• D. Threats alone with no gesture.

Answer: (B)

Simple assault covers actions where someone tries to harm another or places them in fear of imminent harm without using a deadly weapon or requiring actual physical contact. The key element is the non-contact behavior that communicates the intent to harm, such as gestures or threats that convey that imminent harm could occur. That’s why the description “no touching involved, only gestures” best fits simple assault: it captures the non-contact nature of the offense, where physical injury isn’t actually necessary to meet the charge.

The other ideas imply elements that aren’t required for simple assault in many jurisdictions: touching and contact would point to battery; using a deadly weapon would raise the charge to a more serious offense; and threats alone with no gesture may fail to show the action or immediate apprehension element in some definitions.