Murfreesboro Domestic Assault Attorney
Defending Against Charges of Domestic Assault
Defending the rights of the criminally accused since 1996
Prosecutors in Tennessee take domestic assault charges very seriously. With the help of advocacy groups, law enforcement and other professionals, domestic violence is more recognized today. However, false accusations or attempts to use a claim of this nature for an advantage regarding property or children may arise. It is important if you are accused of a domestic assault crime that you contact a lawyer experienced in handling these types of cases. Attorney David L. Scott has more than 25 years of legal experience defending the rights of the accused.
Explaining Tennessee domestic violence laws
For a crime to be considered a domestic assault in Tennessee, there must be a specific type of family relationship between the alleged perpetrator and victim, such as:
- Current or former spouses
- Roommates or people who formerly occupied the same residence
- Romantic partners or former romantic partners
- Blood or adoptive relatives
- Current or former relatives by marriage
- Co-parents
In addition to establishing this type of relationship, the prosecutor must also successfully prove the following information by proof beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The defendant intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury to someone else
- The defendant caused the person to be reasonably fearful of imminent bodily injury; or
- The defendant caused physical contact with another person that a reasonable would find extremely provocative or offensive.
Avoiding serious penalties
Penalties for conviction of domestic assault can be extremely serious and second and subsequent convictions can carry mandatory jail time. The potential penalty depends on the type of charge and whether it is considered a misdemeanor or felony. For example, assault that is charged as a Class B misdemeanor can result in up to six months in jail and a fine up to $500 while a Class C felony charge can result in up to fifteen years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. The defendant can also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim, pay an additional fine to fund domestic violence shelters and lose important rights, such as the right to carry a firearm. There can also be significant family law consequences for people convicted of domestic assault crimes.
An experienced criminal defense attorney will explore other possible options, such as judicial diversion, a suspended sentence or probation. He or she may be able to work out a favorable plea bargain so that as much jail time as possible may be avoided.
Protect your rights with experienced legal representation in Murfreesboro
When you are facing serious charges such as domestic assault, it is important to have legal representation you can rely on. Murfreesboro criminal attorney David L. Scott has two decades of experience defending the accused. To learn about your legal options, contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.