Simple Assault in Tennessee

A conviction for simple assault has serious consequences, from possible jail time to having it become part of your permanent criminal record and inhibiting you from finding employment. Any assault conviction is not a good conversation topic at your next job interview. Our Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyers understand that cooler heads often prevail by the time the case is heard in court. When it comes to resolving criminal charges of assault, always have a criminal attorney review the facts of your case.

In Tennessee, Assault is defined as follows:

Tennessee Code Annotated 39-13-101. Assault.

(a)  A person commits assault who:

(1)  Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another;

(2)  Intentionally or knowingly causes another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or

(3)  Intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another and a reasonable person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative.

(b)  (1)  Assault is a Class A misdemeanor unless the offense is committed under subdivision (a)(3), in which event assault is a Class B misdemeanor; provided, that, if the offense is committed against a law enforcement officer under this section, then the maximum fine shall be five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(2)  In addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for a violation of this section, if the relationship between the defendant and the victim of the assault is such that the victim is a victim as defined in § 36-3-601(5), and if, as determined by the court, the defendant possesses the ability to pay a fine in an amount not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200), then the court shall impose a fine at the level of the defendant’s ability to pay, but not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200). The additional fine shall be paid to the clerk of the court imposing sentence, who shall transfer it to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fine to the general fund. All fines so credited to the general fund shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly for the exclusive purpose of funding family violence shelters and shelter services. Such appropriation shall be in addition to any amount appropriated pursuant to § 67-4-411.