Bill > HB488

This bill establishes a new misdemeanor offense of "assault in the third degree" for intentionally causing offensive contact, engaging in conduct that puts another in fear of offensive contact, or attempting to cause offensive contact. It defines "offensive contact" as nonconsensual physical contact that a reasonable person would find offensive, excluding physical injury, serious physical injury, domestically related crimes, and sexual crimes. The bill also provides details on the charging process for this new offense, clarifies that it is not a lesser included offense of other crimes, and specifies that a physical injury resulting from a third-degree assault is not a defense to the charge. Additionally, the bill gives the District Court exclusive original jurisdiction over third-degree assault cases, unless the defendant demands a jury trial, appeals the case to the circuit court, or is charged with another offense within the circuit court's jurisdiction.

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http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0488?ys=2018rs