Mont. Code Ann. » TITLE 45. CRIMES · CHAPTER 5. OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON · Part 2. Assault and Related Offenses
Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202 (2026)

Aggravated Assault

✓ current as of May 2026
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  1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 45
  3. CHAPTER 5
  4. Part 2
  5. 45-5-202 Aggravated assault

TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 5. OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON

Part 2. Assault and Related Offenses

Aggravated Assault

45-5-202. Aggravated assault. (1) A person commits the offense of aggravated assault if the person purposely or knowingly causes serious bodily injury to another or purposely or knowingly, with the use of physical force or contact, causes reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury or death in another.

(2) A person convicted of aggravated assault shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 20 years and may be fined not more than $50,000, except as provided in 46-18-219 and 46-18-222.

History: En. 94-5-202 by Sec. 1, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 584, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 94-5-202; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 198, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 289, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 163, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 482, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 245, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 433, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 432, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 472, L. 2007.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 248 cases (21 in the last 5 years), 1979–2025 · leading case: State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983).
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State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983). · cites it 36× “Annotation, section 45-5-202, MCA, at 146. The focus of the aggravated assault statute is on the victim and the actual injury to him or his reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury caused by use of a weapon.”
State v. Ottwell, 779 P.2d 500 (Mont. 1989). · cites it 36× “Whether the District Court erred by instructing the jury as to the definition of the term "knowingly," as set forth in § 45-2-101(33), MCA, when a defendant is charged under § 45-5-202, MCA, with felony assault. 4. Whether the defendant was denied a fair trial under the doctrine…”
State v. Kotwicki, 2007 MT 17 (Mont. 2007). · cites it 12× “Nelson's sentence of ten years is not in excess of the maximum statutorily authorized by § 45-5-202(3), MCA. Sections 46-18-201(11) and 46-18-225, MCA, impose an affirmative duty upon the court to take certain matters into consideration in sentencing.”
State v. Weinberger, 671 P.2d 567 (Mont. 1983). · cites it 36× “Section 45-5-202, MCA. We will assume in these conclusions, that the chain here may be considered a "weapon," in the terms of the statute, since neither side contests the point.”
State v. Guillaume, 1999 MT 29 (Mont. 1999). · cites it 18× “¶ 2 The sole issue on appeal is whether application of the weapon enhancement statute, § 46-18-221, MCA, to a conviction for felony assault, a violation of § 45-5-202(2)(b), MCA, violates the double jeopardy provision of Article II, Section 25 of the Montana Constitution? ¶ 3…”
State v. Garrymore, 2006 MT 245 (Mont. 2006). · cites it 12× “Nelson's sentence of ten years is not in excess of the maximum statutorily authorized by § 45-5-202(3), MCA. Sections 46-18-201(11) and 46-18-225, MCA, impose an affirmative duty upon the court to take certain matters into consideration in sentencing.”
State v. Arlington, 875 P.2d 307 (Mont. 1994). · cites it 14× “Section 45-5-202(1), MCA, provides that “[a] person commits the offense of aggravated assault if he purposely or knowingly causes serious bodily *147 injury to another.”
State v. Zabawa, 928 P.2d 151 (Mont. 1996). · cites it 20× “, §§ 45-5-202(2), 45-5-206(1)(b), and 45-5-211(1)(b), MCA.”
State v. MacKrill, 2008 MT 297 (Mont. 2008). · cites it 14× “¶9 On November 17,2005, the State charged Mackrill with one count of aggravated assault, a felony, in violation of § 45-5-202, MCA. Mackrill pleaded not guilty to the charge.”
State v. Whitehorn, 2002 MT 54 (Mont. 2002). · cites it 13× “Section 45-5-202, MCA. [Emphasis supplied.”
State v. McCaslin, 2004 MT 212 (Mont. 2004). · cites it 10× “¶1 Clay Elwood McCaslin (McCaslin), appeals from his conviction of Aggravated Assault, a felony in violation of § 45-5-202, MCA; Assault, a misdemeanor in violation of § 45-5-201, MCA; and Assault with a Weapon, a felony in violation of § 45-5-213, MCA, following a jury trial in…”
Baxter v. State, 2009 MT 449 (Mont. 2009). · cites it 12× “¶ 16 The State charged Mackrill with one count of aggravated assault, a felony under § 45-5-202, MCA. He pleaded not guilty and filed a Notice of Affirmative Defenses, in which he stated he would argue consent as a defense at trial.”
Show all 248 citing cases →
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(1) — 59 cases
State v. MacKrill, 2008 MT 297 (Mont. 2008). “¶9 On November 17,2005, the State charged Mackrill with one count of aggravated assault, a felony, in violation of § 45-5-202, MCA. Mackrill pleaded not guilty to the charge.”
State v. Arlington, 875 P.2d 307 (Mont. 1994). “Section 45-5-202(1), MCA, provides that “[a] person commits the offense of aggravated assault if he purposely or knowingly causes serious bodily *147 injury to another.”
Baxter v. State, 2009 MT 449 (Mont. 2009). “¶ 16 The State charged Mackrill with one count of aggravated assault, a felony under § 45-5-202, MCA. He pleaded not guilty and filed a Notice of Affirmative Defenses, in which he stated he would argue consent as a defense at trial.”
State v. McCaslin, 2004 MT 212 (Mont. 2004). “¶1 Clay Elwood McCaslin (McCaslin), appeals from his conviction of Aggravated Assault, a felony in violation of § 45-5-202, MCA; Assault, a misdemeanor in violation of § 45-5-201, MCA; and Assault with a Weapon, a felony in violation of § 45-5-213, MCA, following a jury trial in…”
State v. Schmidt, 2009 MT 450 (Mont. 2009).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(1)(a) — 6 cases
State v. Hocevar, 2000 MT 157 (Mont. 2000).
State v. Pierce, 647 P.2d 847 (Mont. 1982).
State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983). “Annotation, section 45-5-202, MCA, at 146. The focus of the aggravated assault statute is on the victim and the actual injury to him or his reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury caused by use of a weapon.”
State v. Pierce, 647 P.2d 847 (Mont. 1982).
State v. Hocevar, 2000 MT 157 (Mont. 2000).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(1)(a)(c) — 1 case
State v. Counts, 679 P.2d 1245 (Mont. 1984).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(1)(b) — 3 cases
State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983). “Annotation, section 45-5-202, MCA, at 146. The focus of the aggravated assault statute is on the victim and the actual injury to him or his reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury caused by use of a weapon.”
State v. Pierce, 647 P.2d 847 (Mont. 1982).
State v. Pierce, 647 P.2d 847 (Mont. 1982).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(1)(c) — 8 cases
State v. LaMere, 621 P.2d 462 (Mont. 1980).
State v. Weinberger, 671 P.2d 567 (Mont. 1983). “Section 45-5-202, MCA. We will assume in these conclusions, that the chain here may be considered a "weapon," in the terms of the statute, since neither side contests the point.”
State v. Matson, 736 P.2d 971 (Mont. 1987).
State v. Trangsrud, 651 P.2d 37 (Mont. 1982).
State v. Nichols, 734 P.2d 170 (Mont. 1987).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(1)(d) — 2 cases
State v. Beavers, 1999 MT 260 (Mont. 1999).
Hall v. Flathead Cnty. Attorney, 478 F. Supp. 644 (D. Mont. 1979).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(2) — 39 cases
State v. Matt, 814 P.2d 52 (Mont. 1991).
Porter v. State, 2002 MT 319 (Mont. 2002).
State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983). “Annotation, section 45-5-202, MCA, at 146. The focus of the aggravated assault statute is on the victim and the actual injury to him or his reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury caused by use of a weapon.”
State v. Weaver, 1998 MT 167 (Mont. 1998).
State v. Nelson, 603 P.2d 1050 (Mont. 1979).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(2)(a) — 20 cases
State v. Mummey, 871 P.2d 868 (Mont. 1994).
State v. Weldy, 902 P.2d 1 (Mont. 1995).
State v. Gonzales, 926 P.2d 705 (Mont. 1996).
State v. Howell, 1998 MT 20 (Mont. 1998).
State v. Zabawa, 928 P.2d 151 (Mont. 1996). “, §§ 45-5-202(2), 45-5-206(1)(b), and 45-5-211(1)(b), MCA.”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(2)(b) — 32 cases
State v. Guillaume, 1999 MT 29 (Mont. 1999). “¶ 2 The sole issue on appeal is whether application of the weapon enhancement statute, § 46-18-221, MCA, to a conviction for felony assault, a violation of § 45-5-202(2)(b), MCA, violates the double jeopardy provision of Article II, Section 25 of the Montana Constitution? ¶ 3…”
State v. Ottwell, 779 P.2d 500 (Mont. 1989). “Whether the District Court erred by instructing the jury as to the definition of the term "knowingly," as set forth in § 45-2-101(33), MCA, when a defendant is charged under § 45-5-202, MCA, with felony assault. 4. Whether the defendant was denied a fair trial under the doctrine…”
State v. Zabawa, 928 P.2d 151 (Mont. 1996). “, §§ 45-5-202(2), 45-5-206(1)(b), and 45-5-211(1)(b), MCA.”
State v. Brown, 1999 MT 31 (Mont. 1999).
In re R.L.S., 1999 MT 34 (Mont. 1999).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(2)(c) — 7 cases
State v. Gallagher, 1998 MT 70 (Mont. 1998).
State Ex Rel. Nelson v. Montana Ninth Jud. Dist. Court, 863 P.2d 1027 (Mont. 1993).
State v. Mooney, 809 P.2d 591 (Mont. 1991).
State v. Brown, 791 P.2d 1384 (Mont. 1990).
State v. Laughlin, 933 P.2d 813 (Mont. 1997).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(3) — 9 cases
State v. Kotwicki, 2007 MT 17 (Mont. 2007). “Nelson's sentence of ten years is not in excess of the maximum statutorily authorized by § 45-5-202(3), MCA. Sections 46-18-201(11) and 46-18-225, MCA, impose an affirmative duty upon the court to take certain matters into consideration in sentencing.”
State v. Garrymore, 2006 MT 245 (Mont. 2006). “Nelson's sentence of ten years is not in excess of the maximum statutorily authorized by § 45-5-202(3), MCA. Sections 46-18-201(11) and 46-18-225, MCA, impose an affirmative duty upon the court to take certain matters into consideration in sentencing.”
State v. Arlington, 875 P.2d 307 (Mont. 1994). “Section 45-5-202(1), MCA, provides that “[a] person commits the offense of aggravated assault if he purposely or knowingly causes serious bodily *147 injury to another.”
State v. Zabawa, 928 P.2d 151 (Mont. 1996). “, §§ 45-5-202(2), 45-5-206(1)(b), and 45-5-211(1)(b), MCA.”
State v. Nelson, 906 P.2d 663 (Mont. 1995).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(3)(a) — 3 cases
State v. Brown, 1999 MT 31 (Mont. 1999).
State v. Melone, 2000 MT 118 (Mont. 2000).
Melone v. State, 2004 MT 93N (Mont. 2004).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(a) — 4 cases
State v. Weldy, 902 P.2d 1 (Mont. 1995).
State v. Sellner, 951 P.2d 996 (Mont. 1997).
State v. Campbell, 597 P.2d 1146 (Mont. 1979).
State v. Weldy, 902 P.2d 1 (Mont. 1995).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(b) — 3 cases
State v. Pierce, 647 P.2d 847 (Mont. 1982).
State v. Roullier, 1999 MT 37 (Mont. 1999).
State v. Brooks, 2010 MT 226 (Mont. 2010).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(c) — 1 case
State v. Hamilton, 605 P.2d 1121 (Mont. 1980).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(l) — 1 case
State v. Neary, 944 P.2d 750 (Mont. 1997).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(l)(a) — 2 cases
State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983). “Annotation, section 45-5-202, MCA, at 146. The focus of the aggravated assault statute is on the victim and the actual injury to him or his reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury caused by use of a weapon.”
State v. Lozeau, 650 P.2d 789 (Mont. 1982).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(l)(b) — 2 cases
State v. Wells, 658 P.2d 381 (Mont. 1983). “Annotation, section 45-5-202, MCA, at 146. The focus of the aggravated assault statute is on the victim and the actual injury to him or his reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury caused by use of a weapon.”
State v. Klemann, 634 P.2d 632 (Mont. 1981).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(l)(c) — 6 cases
State v. Weinberger, 671 P.2d 567 (Mont. 1983). “Section 45-5-202, MCA. We will assume in these conclusions, that the chain here may be considered a "weapon," in the terms of the statute, since neither side contests the point.”
State v. Thornton, 708 P.2d 273 (Mont. 1985).
State v. Ritchson, 630 P.2d 234 (Mont. 1981).
State v. Warnick, 656 P.2d 190 (Mont. 1982).
State v. Nelson, 603 P.2d 1050 (Mont. 1979).
— Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-202(l)(d) — 2 cases
State v. Gopher, 633 P.2d 1195 (Mont. 1981).
State v. Beavers, 1999 MT 260 (Mont. 1999).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.