Violent Crimes

If you've been charged with a violent crime in Tennessee, you need an experienced lawyer on your side. Violent crimes carry serious penalties in our state, and you need someone who knows the ins and outs of the legal system to help you get the best possible outcome.

Violent crime encompasses many different offenses. However, no matter what you have been charged with, you can trust our dynamic team of attorneys at Huffman Mason, PLLC to bring our individual perspectives to your case and strategize a strong defense to lower your penalties to a minimum and help you retain as many of your rights after conviction as possible.

Tennessee state law defines violent crime as any offense in which the alleged perpetrator has physically harmed or threatened to harm another person or their property.

Violent crimes include:

• sexual assult/rape,
• assault/battery,
• domestic violence,
• and murder.

Assault involves intentional injury, physical contact, or infliction of fear or threat of bodily injury on another person. To charge you with assault, the prosecution must prove that you:

• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury to another
• Intentionally or knowingly caused another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury
• Intentionally or knowingly caused physical contact with another that a reasonable person would regard as extremely offensive or provocative

Assault and battery are related but distinct legal concepts, often used together in criminal cases. They both involve intentional harmful actions, but they differ in the nature of the actions and the legal definitions. Here's the difference between assault and battery:

• Assault is the intentional act of causing another person to fear or apprehend an imminent, harmful, or offensive bodily contact. Importantly, actual physical contact is not necessary for an assault to occur. It is the fear or apprehension of physical harm that defines an assault.
• Key elements of assault include the intent to cause fear or apprehension of harm and the reasonable belief on the part of the victim that harm is imminent.
• Assault is often categorized into different degrees or types based on the severity or specific circumstances, such as simple assault or aggravated assault.

• Battery, on the other hand, involves the intentional and unlawful physical contact or touching of another person, often resulting in bodily harm or offensive contact. Unlike assault, battery requires actual physical contact.
• Key elements of battery include the intent to cause physical contact or harm and the actual physical contact that occurs.
• Battery can also be classified into various degrees or types based on factors like the extent of the injury caused or the presence of aggravating circumstances.

In many jurisdictions, assault and battery are separate offenses, but they can also be charged together in cases where both the fear or apprehension of harm (assault) and the actual physical contact or harm (battery) occur.

It's important to note that the specific legal definitions and elements of assault and battery may vary from one jurisdiction to another. The penalties and consequences for these offenses can also differ depending on local laws. If you are facing assault or battery charges, it's essential to consult with an attorney who is familiar with the laws in your jurisdiction to understand the specific legal definitions and potential consequences associated with your case.

Domestic violence is a category of assault committed against someone who is a:

• Current or former spouse
• Cohabitant
• Dating or sexual partner
• Blood or adoptive relative
• Current or former relative by marriage
• Adult or minor child of any of the above individuals

Tennessee law defines first degree murder as one of three types:

• The premeditated and intentional killing of another person
• A killing while committing or attempting any other first-degree murder, burglary, theft, kidnapping, rape
• A killing committed by use of a bomb
• 
  

On the other hand, second degree murder is generally defined as intentional murder that lacks premeditation, is intended to only cause bodily harm, and demonstrates an extreme indifference to human life.

In the state of Tennessee, violent crimes can carry severe penalties. These includes heavy fines and substantial jail or prison sentences, but it doesn't end there. Being convicted of a violent crime can affect your future employment as well as your right to vote.