76-5-102. Assault.
(1) As used in this section, "chokehold" means a restraining hold in which one individual encircles the neck of another individual in a viselike grip using an arm. Terms defined in Sectionapply to this section. 76-1-101.5
(2) An actor commits assault if the actor: attempts, with unlawful force or violence, to inflict bodily injury on an individual; or commits an act, with unlawful force or violence, that: causes bodily injury to an individual; or creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to an individual.
(3) Except as provided in Subsection, a violation of Subsectionis a class B misdemeanor. (3)(b) (2) A violation of Subsectionis a class A misdemeanor if: (2) the actor causes substantial bodily injury to an individual; or the individual is pregnant and the actor has knowledge of the pregnancy.
(4) The fact that the actor caused serious bodily injury to an individual is not a defense to a violation of this section.
(5) This section does not apply to an actor's use of a chokehold on another individual if: the chokehold is done as part of training for, or participating in, a practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice, including martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts; and the other individual is also training for, or participating in, the same practice or sport in which a chokehold is a known and acceptable practice.