4th-degree assault means a person who intentionally uses force against someone in an attempt to cause harm or is likely to cause serious injury.
The assault includes one of four distinct forms: 1st-degree, 2nd-degree and 3rd-degree.
4th and 5th degree assaults carry a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
In this case, the man assaulted a 16-year-old girl while driving her to school.
He then drove her to a different location where he was arrested.
The woman told police she had been drinking with her friends at the time and the driver had been a good sport.
The man’s lawyers argued he did not intend to cause any harm and it was not clear whether he was intoxicated at the moment he struck the woman.
Police said the driver also allegedly assaulted another 16-old female in a similar fashion.
The driver is still facing charges for another assault he committed in September on a 16th-grade student at the same school.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due back in court on March 10.
