Which of the following best describes 'assault' in criminal law?

The definition of 'assault' in criminal law primarily refers to the act of intentionally causing another person to fear imminent bodily harm or genuinely threatening them with physical harm. This aspect emphasizes the mental state of the perpetrator and the perception of the victim, highlighting that it is not necessary for physical contact to occur for an assault to take place. Essentially, assault is considered a crime against a person that can lead to significant psychological impact.

While the other options involve illegal activities, they do not accurately capture the core definition of assault. Unlawfully taking someone's property describes theft or robbery, not assault. Similarly, injury caused during a robbery pertains to a different context involving violent crime, which may include assault but is not itself a description of assault. Lastly, white-collar crime encompasses non-violent crime typically committed for financial gain, which is unrelated to the concept of assault. Therefore, the choice that captures the essence of assault as it fits within criminal law is the one pertaining to threats of physical harm.