ADW
Law & Legal abbreviation · Criminal Law
| Stands for | Assault with a deadly weapon |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
ADW stands for Assault with a deadly weapon, a criminal law abbreviation.
Aggravated assault charge involving a weapon or object capable of causing death or serious injury, such as a gun, knife, vehicle or bat. It is a felony in most states and carries much higher penalties than simple assault.
Example: He was charged with ADW after swinging a tire iron at the other driver.
Usage notes
Statutory names vary: California uses assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code § 245), Washington, D.C. uses ADW in its charging, and North Carolina uses AWDW. Whether an ordinary object counts as a deadly weapon depends on how it was used. The abbreviation appears in charging documents, police reports and news coverage.
Related abbreviations
More criminal law abbreviations
- 5K – Substantial assistance departure (U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1)
- ACD – Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal
- ARD – Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
- B&E – Breaking and entering
- BOP – Federal Bureau of Prisons
- BW – Bench warrant
- CDS – Controlled dangerous substance
- CI – Confidential informant
- CO – Correctional officer
- COA – Certificate of appealability
- cr – Criminal (case-type code)
- CW – Cooperating witness
See all 46 criminal law abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.