Four young men shoved a man to the ground and kicked him until unconscious. The officer arrested them for assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. Was this appropriate?

• A. Not enough information
• B. Yes
• C. No
• D. Maybe assault only

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that using physical force in a way that is likely to cause serious harm meets a higher-level assault offense, not just a minimal one. Shoving someone to the ground and kicking them until they’re unconscious shows deliberate, substantial violence and a high risk of great bodily injury. Because the act produced or was clearly capable of producing serious harm, charging them with assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury is appropriate. The facts give a clear picture of serious violence, so there’s no need for more information to determine the charge. The option suggesting only assault, or suggesting insufficient information, doesn’t fit the seriousness of the conduct shown.