An assault consists of threatening or attempting to harm someone. A battery occurs when you intentionally touch another person without consent. There is also a charge called an affray, which is an altercation between you and at least one other person, resulting in a physical fight. Simple assault, simple assault and battery or participating in an affray are all Class 2 misdemeanors.

You face a Class A1 misdemeanor if, during an assault, assault or battery or affray, you cause someone serious injury, use a deadly weapon, assault a child under 12, assault a woman if you are a man over 18 (Assault on a Female), assault a state employee, assault a school employee or volunteer or assault a public transit worker.

It is a Class C felony if you assault another person with a deadly weapon, such as a firearm, with intent to kill, and you inflict serious injury. If you use a deadly weapon and inflict serious injury without the intent to kill or you have the intent to kill yet do not inflict serious injury, it is a Class E felony. If you assault someone and cause physical injury by strangulation, it is a Class H felony.

In North Carolina, domestic abuse consists of causing or trying to cause bodily injury to a person with whom you have a personal relationship, such as a current or ex-spouse, current or former romantic partner, a household member, the other parent of your child or family members. If you are accused of domestic abuse, you will face charges for the underlying crime, as well as possibly having orders of protection filed against you.

Murder is causing another person’s death through premeditated action or the commission of a felony. This is first-degree murder, a Class A felony. First-degree murder also includes causing the death of a person with whom you had a personal relationship through malicious conduct or against whom you had a previous conviction for domestic violence. Any other form of homicide is considered second-degree murder and is charged as a Class B1 or B2 felony, depending on the circumstances.

If you are accused of causing someone’s death without malice or intent and not during the commission of a felony, you can be charged with manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter is a Class D felony. Involuntary manslaughter, which is a death resulting from reckless behavior, is a Class F felony.