Assault 2nd Degree includes which of the following?

• A. Intentionally causes physical injury to another person by any means
• B. Recklessly causes physical injury by any means
• C. Wantonly causes physical injury by any means
• D. Intentionally causes physical injury by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument

Answer: (D)

Second-degree assault is an aggravated form of assault where the person intentionally injures someone and does so with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. That combination—intent to cause physical injury plus the use of a weapon or dangerous tool—elevates the offense to a higher degree. The option that specifies intentionally causing physical injury by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument exactly captures that aggravating factor, which is why it is the best fit for Assault 2nd Degree.

The other descriptions describe intentional injury without a weapon, or injury caused under reckless or wanton circumstances. Those scenarios describe different offenses or lower degrees, since they lack the weapon or dangerous instrument element that distinguishes second-degree assault.