By Legal disclaimer: This glossary explains general terminology and is not legal advice. Exact statutory definitions vary by state. If you’re facing a charge, speak with a criminal defense attorney.
What Does ADW Mean?
ADW stands for “assault with a deadly weapon”, a criminal charge for attacking or threatening to attack someone with an object or level of force capable of causing death or serious injury. You’ll see this acronym in police reports, arrest records, and court documents across the U.S. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the state, the specific weapon, and the circumstances. In California, for example, ADW is codified under Penal Code § 245(a)(1) and is a “wobbler” offense chargeable as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in county jail) or a felony (2 to 4 years in state prison). In Texas, the equivalent charge under Penal Code § 22.02 is typically a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years. This is the same underlying concept covered more generally in our Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon pillar – ADW is simply the shorthand you’ll see used in official paperwork.
AWDW – Same Charge, Different Abbreviation
AWDW is an alternate abbreviation for the exact same offense as ADW – assault with a deadly weapon. Different departments, states, and court systems use slightly different shorthand for the identical concept, which is part of why this term generates so many near-duplicate searches.
AADW – Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon
AADW typically stands for “aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,” used in some jurisdictions as shorthand distinguishing this specific aggravated-assault variant from a general ADW charge. You may also see it paired with a felony class designation on charging paperwork (for example, “AADW-F2”), where the letter-and-number code refers to that state’s specific felony classification tier for the offense – the exact tier and its penalty range depend entirely on the state issuing the charge.
What Does GBI Mean?
GBI stands for “great bodily injury”, a term used in several states (most notably California) to describe a significant or substantial physical injury, more serious than minor cuts or bruises. GBI is often the specific factor that elevates an assault or battery charge to a more serious classification, similar to how “serious bodily injury” functions in other states.
What Does SBI Mean?
SBI stands for “serious bodily injury”, the equivalent concept to GBI, used in many other states’ penal codes (including Texas) as the injury-severity threshold that can elevate a charge to aggravated assault or aggravated battery. You’ll frequently see this paired with “aggravated assault” in charging language – for example, “aggravated assault causing SBI” describes a case where the injury itself, not necessarily a weapon, is what triggered the aggravated classification. See our Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery pillars for how injury severity fits into the broader aggravating-factor framework.
What Does ABH Mean? (Important Distinction)
ABH stands for “actual bodily harm,” but it’s important to know this is not a U.S. term – it’s a charge used in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and some Commonwealth jurisdictions, defined under Section 47 of England’s Offences Against the Person Act 1861. ABH describes an assault or battery that causes injury more than “transient or trifling” – think significant bruising, minor fractures, or cuts requiring stitches – and is roughly analogous to a mid-tier battery charge in U.S. terms, though the two systems aren’t directly interchangeable. If you searched “ABH crime” expecting a U.S. equivalent, the closest concept on this site is Battery or, for more serious injury, Aggravated Battery – but note that specific elements and defenses differ significantly between the U.S. and UK legal systems.
Quick Reference Table
| Acronym | Meaning | Jurisdiction |
| ADW | Assault with a deadly weapon | U.S. (varies by state) |
| AWDW | Assault with a deadly weapon (alt. abbreviation) | U.S. (varies by state) |
| AADW | Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon | U.S. (varies by state) |
| GBI | Great bodily injury | U.S. (notably California) |
| SBI | Serious bodily injury | U.S. (notably Texas and others) |
| ABH | Actual bodily harm | UK / Commonwealth (not U.S.) |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does ADW mean in a police report?
ADW stands for “assault with a deadly weapon” — a charge for attacking or threatening someone with an object or force capable of causing death or serious injury.
-
Is ADW a felony or misdemeanor?
It depends on the state and specific circumstances. In many states, including California, it’s a “wobbler” that can be charged as either, depending on the weapon involved and the defendant’s history.
-
What’s the difference between GBI and SBI?
They describe essentially the same concept — a significant, serious physical injury — but different states use different terminology. GBI (“great bodily injury”) is common in California; SBI (“serious bodily injury”) is common in Texas and several other states.
-
Is ABH the same as a U.S. assault charge?
Not directly. ABH is a UK/Commonwealth legal term, not used in U.S. penal codes. The closest U.S. equivalents are battery or aggravated battery, depending on injury severity, though the specific legal elements differ between systems.
Talk to an Attorney
If you’ve encountered one of these acronyms on your own paperwork, the specific statute and penalty depend entirely on your state. Speak with a criminal defense attorney to understand exactly what charge you’re facing.