What are the mental states required for assault causing bodily injury to another?

The mental states required for assault causing bodily injury to another primarily focus on someone's intention or awareness of their actions and their potential consequences. The correct choice highlights that the individual must act either intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly in order to be charged with this form of assault.

When someone acts intentionally, they consciously choose to engage in conduct that they know will likely result in bodily injury to another person. A knowing action indicates awareness that such harm could occur as a result of one’s actions, even if that is not the primary intention. Recklessness applies when someone disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that their actions might cause harm, showcasing a conscious decision to proceed despite the potential consequences.

These mental states reflect a degree of culpability that is necessary for an assault charge that leads to bodily injury. The other options suggest levels of carelessness or lack of intent, which do not align with the criminal standards for this offense, as they do not demonstrate the required awareness or disregard for the potential harm being inflicted on another individual.