What offense is committed when one person punches another person causing pain?

When one person punches another person causing pain, the offense is classified as Assault Class A Misdemeanor. This classification is important because it reflects the severity of the action and the level of harm inflicted. In many jurisdictions, including under the Texas Penal Code, a Class A Misdemeanor is defined as intentional or reckless conduct that results in bodily injury to another individual. The key aspect here is that the punch causes pain, which constitutes bodily injury, satisfying the legal criteria for this level of assault.

A Class C Misdemeanor usually involves lesser infractions that do not result in bodily injury, such as verbal threats or minor altercations without physical pain. Conversely, Assault classified as 2nd Degree or 3rd Degree Felony involves aggravated circumstances such as the use of deadly weapons, serious bodily injury, or assault against certain protected individuals (like family members or public servants). The punch in this scenario does not meet the criteria for those more serious offenses, making the Class A Misdemeanor the appropriate classification.