He already faces a civil legal action over the alleged incident.
Fashion designer Leila Mwangi, 25, filed a civil lawsuit last month in a Manhattan court alleging that he hit her on May 2 with a blow intended for her photographer boyfriend, Barron Clairborne, at a restaurant in the East Village.
Mr Tarantino surrendered to police in New York's East Village and was charged with assault. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail.
Ms Mwangi says the Oscar-winning film maker split open her eyebrow during a row which allegedly happened at the trendy Three of Cups bar during an argument between Mr Tarantino and Mr Clairborne about the portrayal of blacks in films.
Miss Mwangi and her boyfriend - who are both black - claim the attack was race-related.
She is asking $15m compensation and damages from the director.
Mr Tarantino is the director of the films 'Reservoir Dogs', 'Jackie Brown' and 'Pulp Fiction,' which won him an Oscar as co-screenwriter.
He is currently starring on Broadway in a revival of the thriller "Wait Until Dark" and has received scathing reviews for his performance.
He has not commented on the case against him.
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