Which action can escalate a criminal charge to a Class C felony?

The action that can escalate a criminal charge to a Class C felony is causation of physical harm to someone not involved. In criminal law, felony classifications often hinge on the severity of the harm inflicted and whether it involves the intent to cause significant injury to another person. When an individual causes physical harm, especially in the context of a crime that was not directly aimed at the victim, it demonstrates a serious disregard for human safety, often resulting in heightened charges.

In contrast, threatening someone with verbal aggression does not typically meet the threshold for felony charges, as it lacks the physical component that aggravates the situation. Refusing to cooperate with police may lead to other legal consequences, but it does not inherently involve causing physical harm, and thus would not elevate a charge to a Class C felony. Similarly, fleeing the scene without identification could indicate an effort to evade law enforcement but does not directly connect to causing harm, nor does it elevate a criminal charge to that level on its own. Therefore, the causation of physical harm is the critical factor that leads to the escalation of a charge to a Class C felony.