Assault Defense Attorney in Nashville

In Tennessee, assault charges can be broken down into two different categories: simple assault, and aggravated assault. The state of Tennessee defines simple assault as any time a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily harm to another person, or knowingly or intentionally puts another person in fear of bodily injury. Assault also includes intentionally or knowingly engaging in physical contact with another person that could be considered offensive or provocative (Tennessee Code § 39-13-101).

Aggravated assault generally includes more violence than general assault. According to Tennessee Code § 39-13-102, aggravated assault involves intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly committing assault (as described above) which results in serious bodily injury or death, or involves the use or display of a deadly weapon or the use of strangulation or attempted strangulation.

You can be accused of assault whether or not a physical action was actually taken. A simple verbal threat of physical violence can sometimes be enough for a conviction. My priority, as a criminal assault lawyer, is to build you a formidable case that can help you find a favorable resolution to the charges you are facing.

Assault cases can include:

• Domestic violence - Acts of violence against a spouse or domestic partner can be considered assault or aggravated assault.
• Battery - While assault can sometimes refer to merely threatening to do bodily harm to someone, battery refers to the actual act of harming someone or causing them bodily injury.
• Verbal threats - If you make verbal threats or threats via social media you may be charged with assault for causing the other individual to fear for their own safety.
• Vehicular assault or homicide - If you operate a vehicle in a manner that either intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly endangers or causes bodily injury or death to someone else you can be charged with vehicular assault or vehicular homicide.
• Sexual assault - Sexual assault can include many different forms of non-consensual sexual conduct, from sexual battery to rape.
• Assault with a weapon - Assault with a firearm or other weapon, whether it is used or not, immediately elevates the assault charges to aggravated assault charges.

While general assault is typically considered a misdemeanor, any form of aggravated assault is considered a felony in Tennessee:

• Intentional Aggravated Assault - Is considered a Class C felony, and is punishable by 3-15 years in prison.
• Reckless Aggravated Assault - Is considered a Class D felony, and is punishable by 2-12 years in prison.