Edgewater, MD asked in Criminal Law for Maryland

Q: Can I be charged with assault for knocking somebody’s grocery cart with my own while a child was in the seat? No malice

While shopping at Sams club, a woman’s cart was in the middle of the aisle which I asked her to move, she did but I still couldn’t get through. So I asked again and she said it was too heavy to which i said okay well I’m going through. I went through and knocked her cart slightly which had a toddler in the seat. I apologized and went on and then the woman started screaming at me saying I assaulted her child (who was not crying or anything) and began to choke me. Can I be charged with assault for hitting her cart?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: Maybe. Assault is not a malice crime. You can commit it with an intimate object like a cart. If you are charged, you should seek counsel.

Scott Scherr agrees with this answer

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