Aggravated Assault in Minnesota: Understanding the Charge and Building a Strong Defense
By Sullivan Rice
Jack Rice Defense Breaks Down One of Minnesota’s Most Serious Violent Crimes
May 2025 — Minneapolis, MN — An aggravated assault charge is among the most serious violent offenses in Minnesota, often carrying long prison terms and life-altering consequences. Whether it stems from a bar fight, domestic incident, or weapons-related conflict, being accused of aggravated assault is no small matter.
Criminal defense attorney Jack Rice, a former prosecutor and nationally known legal analyst, has handled some of Minnesota’s most high-profile assault cases. He offers insight into what this charge means—and how the right defense can change the outcome.
What Is Aggravated Assault?
Aggravated assault in Minnesota generally falls under the broader category of assault, defined as intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm on another person. What elevates an assault to "aggravated" is the presence of certain aggravating factors, such as:
Use of a deadly weapon (e.g., gun, knife, blunt object)
Assault causing substantial or great bodily harm
Assault against protected victims (e.g., police officers, healthcare workers)
Repeat offenses or prior violent crime history
Under Minnesota Statutes § 609.221 - § 609.2231, these factors increase the severity of the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, potentially punishable by up to 20 years in prison and tens of thousands in fines.
Degrees of Aggravated Assault in Minnesota
Great bodily harm or assault with intent to cause it
Penalty: Up to 20 years in prison and $30,000 fine
Use of a dangerous weapon, regardless of injury
Penalty: Up to 7 years (or up to 10 years if substantial bodily harm occurred)
Third- and Fourth-Degree Assault
Assaults against protected categories (like police, teachers, or vulnerable adults)
Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison
Legal Defenses to Aggravated Assault
Jack Rice has successfully defended countless assault cases, and he stresses that every case has two sides. Some of the most common defenses include:
Self-defense: You were protecting yourself or another person from imminent harm
Defense of property: You acted to prevent a crime like burglary or robbery
Lack of intent: The incident was accidental, or you didn’t intend harm
False accusation: The alleged victim fabricated the incident or exaggerated it
Mistaken identity: You weren’t the person involved
“Assault cases often come down to interpretation of facts,” says Rice. “What looks like a crime in a police report may actually be self-defense when you see the full picture.”
Why You Need a Former Prosecutor on Your Side
Aggravated assault cases move fast and are prosecuted aggressively. The stakes are high criminal records, loss of gun rights, years of incarceration, and damage to your reputation. That’s why it’s crucial to have someone who knows how prosecutors think and how to beat them at their own game.
Jack Rice spent years putting together these very cases for the state. Now, as a seasoned criminal defense attorney, he uses that same knowledge to protect his clients and dismantle weak or overcharged prosecutions.
Facing Aggravated Assault Charges? Jack Rice Defense Is Here to Fight for You
If you’ve been accused of aggravated assault, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. At Jack Rice Defense, we understand how to investigate, challenge, and defend even the most serious allegations. We don’t back down because your freedom is worth fighting for.
Call Jack Rice today for a confidential, no-obligation case review. When you need experience, strategy, and unwavering advocacy, Jack Rice is the lawyer you want in your corner.
