Assault - Offenses Against the Person
§2A2.2 | GUIDELINES MANUAL | November 1, 2005 |
4. Application of Official Victim Adjustment.—If subsection (b)(6) applies, §3A1.2 (Official Victim) also shall apply.
Background: This guideline covers felonious assaults that are more serious than minor assaults because of the presence of an aggravating factor, i.e., serious bodily injury, the involvement of a dangerous weapon with intent to cause bodily injury, or the intent to commit another felony. Such offenses occasionally may involve planning or be committed for hire. Consequently, the structure follows §2A2.1 (Assault with Intent to Commit Murder; Attempted Murder). This guideline also covers attempted manslaughter and assault with intent to commit manslaughter. Assault with intent to commit murder is covered by §2A2.1. Assault with intent to commit rape is covered by §2A3.1 (Criminal Sexual Abuse; Attempt to Commit Criminal Sexual Abuse).
An assault that involves the presence of a dangerous weapon is aggravated in form when the presence of the dangerous weapon is coupled with the intent to cause bodily injury. In such a case, the base offense level and the weapon enhancement in subsection (b)(2) take into account different aspects of the offense, even if application of the base offense level and the weapon enhancement is based on the same conduct.
Subsection (b)(6) implements the directive to the Commission in subsection 11008(e) of the 21st
Century Department of Justice Appropriations Act (the "Act"), Public Law 107–273. The enhancement in subsection (b)(6) is cumulative to the adjustment in §3A1.2 (Official Victim) in order to address adequately the directive in section 11008(e)(2)(D) of the Act, which provides that the Commission shall consider "the extent to which sentencing enhancements within the Federal guidelines and the authority of the court to impose a sentence in excess of the applicable guideline range are adequate to ensure punishment at or near the maximum penalty for the most egregious conduct covered by" 18 U.S.C. §§ 111 and 115.
Historical Note:: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 85 and 86); November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 311); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 534); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 549); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 614); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 637); November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 663).
§2A2.3. Minor Assault
(a) Base Offense Level:
(1) 7, if the offense involved physical contact, or if a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed and its use was threatened; or
(2) 4, otherwise.
(b) Specific Offense Characteristic
(1) If (A) the victim sustained bodily injury, increase by 2 levels; or (B) the offense resulted in substantial bodily injury to an individual under the age of sixteen years, increase by 4 levels.
(c) Cross Reference
– 50 –