{"id":376407,"date":"2018-07-26T11:37:49","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T16:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2020-01-02T12:40:38","modified_gmt":"2020-01-02T17:40:38","slug":"tennessee-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Assault Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Assault Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

If you touch someone in an offensive manner, you can be charged with a crime. Even if you don’t make actual contact, but you place someone in fear through intimidation, you can still face charges. Because assault and battery<\/a> definitions vary from state to state, you can be charged with assault, battery, or some combination of the two.<\/p>\r\n

Tennessee’s assault laws cover the offenses of assault and aggravated assault. A general assault is the lesser of the two offenses and is charged as a misdemeanor; aggravated assault is a more serious crime and is generally a felony. In an aggravated assault, if the act was committed intentionally, the penalties are higher than if the assault was committed recklessly.<\/p>\r\n

Summary of Tennessee Assault\/Aggravated Assault Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Nothing can compete with an attorney’s analysis when it comes to statutory interpretation. However, if you just need a brief introduction to the law or want to familiarize yourself with the topic before meeting with an attorney, referring to a clear and condensed version of the statutes is helpful. Get to know about Tennessee’s assault laws by reading the concise chart below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code Annotated:<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Assault and Aggravated Assault Charges<\/b><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Assault:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

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  • Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another;<\/li>\r\n
  • Intentionally or knowingly causing another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or<\/li>\r\n
  • Intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another and a reasonable person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Intentional Aggravated Assault:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

    Intentionally or knowingly committing assault which involves the following:<\/p>\r\n

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    • Serious bodily injury to another;<\/li>\r\n
    • The death of another;<\/li>\r\n
    • The use or display of a deadly weapon; or<\/li>\r\n
    • Involved strangulation or attempted strangulation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Reckless Aggravated Assault:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n

      Recklessly committing an assault that involves the following:<\/p>\r\n

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      • Serious bodily injury to another;<\/li>\r\n
      • The death of another; or<\/li>\r\n
      • The use or display of a deadly weapon.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Possible Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Assault is usually a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in prison and\/or fines of up to $2,500.<\/p>\r\n

Intentional assaults that cause physical contact such that a reasonable person considers extremely offensive\/provocative are Class B misdemeanors. If the assault is committed against a law enforcement officer, health care provider, or employee or contractor of a utility performing their duties, then the maximum fine is $15,000.<\/p>\r\n

Domestic Violence<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

In addition to any other punishment for assault, if the relationship between the defendant and the assault victim can be considered domestic violence<\/a> and if, the court determines that the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine, then the court will impose the fine at the level of the defendant’s ability to pay, but the fine can’t be more than $200.<\/p>\r\n

Aggravated Assault<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n

Intentional: Class C felony, punishable by 3-15 years in prison.<\/p>\r\n

Reckless: Class D felony, punishable by 2-12 years in prison.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Offense(s)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code Annotated:<\/p>\r\n