Can I Be Charged with Assault Even if I Didn’t Physically Harm Anyone?
Assault comes in many forms, including pushing, shoving, slapping, and punching another. But did you know that you can face an assault charge for merely threatening to harm someone? It is true that in the state of Tennessee, you can be charged with simple assault for intimidating a person and/or causing fear of harm.
No matter the type of assault charges filed against you, our Nashville, TN, assault lawyers are prepared to safeguard your rights.
How Does Tennessee Law Define Assault?
Under Tennessee law, a person may be charged with simple assault if he or she:
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes another bodily injury
- Causes a person to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury
- Intentionally or knowingly makes physical contact with another person, aware that the person would find the touching offensive or provocative
Examples of Acts Causing Another to Fear Imminent Bodily Injury
So, besides physically harming someone, you can be charged with assault for causing someone to fear for their safety. The following acts are examples of behavior that could cause another fear of imminent bodily injury:
- Threatening someone with a dangerous weapon
- Threatening to punch, kick, or slap someone
- Verbal threats (i.e., threatening to kill or seriously harm someone)
- Aggressively touching another
- Raising your fist and moving toward someone
Do not be fooled; even having a simple assault charge filed against you is serious and requires dedicated representation to avoid jail time and steep fines.
Why Should I Hire a Nashville Assault Lawyer?
An assault charge can be difficult to defend. Even though a prosecutor has the task of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you should not attempt to represent yourself. Reasonable doubt is the highest burden in the law, reserved for criminal cases. It requires the prosecution to demonstrate that you committed the alleged crime. The prosecutor must convince a judge or jury with almost 100% certainty that the only reasonable explanation based on the evidence presented is that you are guilty of the offense.
The jury’s verdict must be unanimous (meaning that all the jurors agree). This applies whether the jury finds you guilty or not guilty. It is not easy to get a group of 12 individuals to come to an agreement, so you need an experienced attorney to build a strong defense.
Often, an assault charge does not stand on its own, resulting in multiple charges for closely related offenses. Our legal team will examine the entirety of the evidence in your case and conduct their own investigation to determine the accuracy of the charges against you. Our team of attorneys has a deep understanding of the prosecution’s strategies as well as how to craft a defense that connects with the jury. When you hire Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, you give yourself the best chance of a successful case outcome.
Reach Out to Our Nashville Assault Lawyers Today
When you hire Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, you can take a deep breath, knowing that your interests will be protected. With both of our Nashville, TN, assault lawyers having experience as former prosecutors, we offer our clients a vast advantage in the courtroom. If you are interested in learning how we can be of assistance to you, contact us online or by phone. We offer free consultations to new clients.