What constitutes assault according to MCL 750.81?

Assault, as defined in MCL 750.81, encompasses more than just physical violence; it includes the elements of attempted battery or causing fear of immediate battery. This means that an individual doesn’t need to physically strike someone to be charged with assault. Instead, the mere act of attempting to inflict harm or creating a reasonable apprehension of such harm in another person is sufficient to meet the criteria for assault under Michigan law.

In the context of this definition, a person who makes a move towards assaulting another individual, or who threatens to do so in a way that instills fear of imminent physical harm, can be held accountable for assault. This broadens the scope of what constitutes assault beyond actual physical contact, focusing instead on the intention and the resultant perception of threat in the victim.

While options such as physically striking another person or making verbal threats might seem related, they do not capture the full definition of assault as stipulated in the statute. Chasing someone with the intent to frighten, while potentially threatening, does not align with the legal definition that prioritizes the intention to cause fear of an immediate threat of battery or the attempt itself. Thus, the correct understanding of assault under MCL 750.81 is rooted in the combination