A person can be convicted of Simple Assault if they attempt to cause or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury to another.  Often arrests for Simple Assault arise out of fist fights, domestic incidents, bar fights, or other arguments that get physical.  

Threatening words or actions can also result in a conviction for Simple Assault.  A person can be convicted of Simple Assault if he attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of serious bodily injury.

Simple Assault can be graded as a misdemeanor of the first, second or third degree depending upon the circumstances.

Aggravated Assault on the other hand is always a felony.  A person can be convicted of Aggravated Assault if they attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another or cause such injury intentionally, knowingly or recklessly.  An attempt to cause or intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon also rises to the level of Aggravated Assault.  Attempts to injure a child or actually injuring a child can also be felony assault.

A person can also be convicted of felony assault if they commit a Simple Assault upon a protected class of persons such as, police officers, firefighters, judicial officials, district attorneys, teachers, and many others.

Aggravated Assault is either a felony of the first or second degree with possible maximum penalties up to 20 years in prison.  

If you are convicted for an assault charge, in addition to jail time you could also be required to pay restitution, large fines, serve time on probation and acquire a permanent criminal record.