What is the primary distinction between assault and criminal threat?

The primary distinction between assault and criminal threat lies in the aspect of intent to cause fear. Criminal threat specifically involves an intention to instill fear in another person regarding imminent harm or danger. It does not require any physical contact or action that results in harm; rather, the mere expression of intent to cause fear or anxiety can satisfy the criteria for a criminal threat.

In contrast, while assault may involve the threat of harm and can include causing fear, it typically also requires some level of actual fear or apprehension of harm in the victim at that moment. Assault often is associated with either an actual physical act or the imminent threat of such an act. Thus, the core of a criminal threat focuses more on the psychological impact and the defendant's intent to instill fear, which distinctly separates it from the elements of assault.