Different Ways Assault Charges Can Arise in Tennessee

 Posted on March 08, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Whether you have caused someone physical harm or threatened to harm another person, you could be facing prison time and steep fines. An assault conviction will result in a criminal record, which will follow you for the rest of your life.

No matter the circumstances, one thing remains constant: if you are charged with assault, you need to seek counsel from a Knoxville assault criminal defense attorney. In this article, we will discuss the various situations in which assault charges may arise.

Domestic Assault

Domestic assault is often marked by an abusive pattern of behavior. This type of assault charge is generally against a person that you are related to (blood or adoption) or a member of your household. Even if you did not touch the person but threatened harm, you could be charged with domestic assault. A person could be convicted of assault just by causing a victim to think that they were going to cause them some type of bodily harm.

Bar Fights

When people are drinking, emotions can get heated. Arguments can easily escalate into physical violence, putting everyone in the bar at risk of being hurt.

If you injured someone in a bar fight, you may be facing an assault charge. Of course, it all depends on whether the injured party chooses to press charges. If charges have been pursued, then you will want to speak with a Knox County assault criminal defense attorney immediately.

Road Rage

Aggressive behavior towards another driver may include gestures, yelling, blowing your car horn, weaving in and out of traffic, and tailgating. Tennessee is ranked in the top tier of states for road rage shootings, with fatalities continuing to climb each year.

Sporting Events

Team spirit is one thing, but when your passion for the game results in harming other sports fans, coaches, or sports officials, you will likely face severe legal consequences. Assaulting sports officials does not just apply to professional sports. In a recent year, of the 17,000 referees that were surveyed, 48% admitted that they feel unsafe in their jobs.

Tennessee lawmakers have proposed stiffer penalties for anyone who assaults a sports official. Under House Bill 1761, causing bodily injury to a sports official would be a class E felony. If convicted, an offender may potentially serve six years in prison.

If a person instigates extremely offensive or provocative contact, accompanied by no physical harm, then the perpetrator may be charged with a class A misdemeanor.

Charged for Assault? Contact a Knoxville, TN, Assault Criminal Defense Attorney

As humans, we cannot foresee if a situation is going to spiral out of control. The gravity of an assault charge can cause your life to come to a screeching halt. A charge like that could have long-lasting effects on a person’s life, so the stakes are high. If you are facing an assault charge, you need to contact our Knox County, TN, assault criminal defense attorney. Contact Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney today online or by calling 865-281-1000 to schedule your free consultation.