Assault Defense Attorney in Clarksville

He Worked Inside the Clarksville Police Department. Now He Defends You.

When you’re charged with assault in Clarksville, the attorney you hire shapes everything that follows. At Runyon & Runyon, lead attorney Frank J. Runyon III brings a perspective grounded in years inside the Clarksville Police Department as a patrolman, detective, shift sergeant, and drug unit sergeant before spending more than 20 years defending the accused. He knows how officers build assault cases, how primary aggressor determinations get made, and where those decisions go wrong.

A conviction can affect your job, your housing, your professional license, and your future. Tennessee assault convictions can’t be expunged, meaning the record stays visible on background checks long after the sentence is served. Acting early matters. Runyon & Runyon has served Clarksville since 1929 and offers a free consultation to anyone facing assault charges in Montgomery County.

Facing an assault charge in Clarksville? Call us at (931) 805-4445 to schedule your free consultation with our assault defense attorneys.

Tennessee Assault Charges: What You’re Facing

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-101, assault is defined three ways: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person; intentionally or knowingly causing another person to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another person that a reasonable person would regard as extremely offensive or provocative.

The penalties depend on which category applies:

• Class A misdemeanor (bodily injury or fear of imminent bodily injury): Up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500
• Class B misdemeanor (offensive or provocative contact): Up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine

Court costs and jail fees are typically assessed on top of any fine, and unpaid court costs can result in driver’s license suspension. For Clarksville’s large military community, a domestic assault conviction carries an additional consequence: the federal Lautenberg Amendment prohibits firearm possession and can affect an active-duty career. For eligible defendants, pretrial or judicial diversion may be available and could allow resolution without a permanent criminal record. Domestic assault charges involve additional legal considerations covered on our domestic assault page.

When Assault Becomes a Felony in Tennessee

Five circumstances can elevate a simple assault to aggravated assault, which is a felony in Tennessee. Aggravated assault occurs when the offender uses a deadly weapon; the victim sustains serious bodily injury or dies; the assault involves strangulation or attempted strangulation; the offender fails to protect a child from assault causing serious bodily injury; or the assault occurs while the offender is subject to a restraining order, injunction, or probation agreement.

Felony sentencing ranges are significant:

• Class C felony aggravated assault: 3 to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
• Class D felony aggravated assault: 2 to 12 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000
• Enhanced fine: Up to $15,000 if the assault is committed against a first responder or healthcare provider in the performance of their duties

Beyond prison time, a felony conviction means loss of voting rights, loss of firearm rights, and serious barriers to employment and professional licensing.

How We Defend Assault Cases in Montgomery County

Frank Runyon’s years as a Clarksville Police Department detective and sergeant gave him direct knowledge of how officers investigate assault incidents, document evidence, and determine who they consider the primary aggressor. That determination is often made quickly at the scene, based on visible injuries alone. It’s frequently wrong. Our criminal defense attorneys know how to challenge it.

Every case gets individual review. Depending on the facts, a defense may rest on one or more of the following:

• Self-defense or defense of others: Tennessee law recognizes these defenses. A defendant who wasn’t the primary aggressor and reasonably believed force was immediately necessary has no duty to retreat if lawfully present.
• Evidence reliability: Witness credibility, inconsistencies in accounts, and the quality of police audio and video can all be challenged. The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Lack of intent: Assault under Tennessee law requires intentional, knowing, or reckless conduct. Mistake of fact, involuntary intoxication, duress, necessity, and consent in lawful athletic or sporting contexts are all recognized defenses.
• Probable cause: An attorney who begins building a defense before charges are formally filed is often better positioned to preserve evidence and challenge the arrest itself.

Why Clarksville Residents Hire Runyon & Runyon for Assault Defense

Frank J. Runyon III didn’t just study how police build cases. He built them. That combination of law enforcement experience and more than 20 years in criminal defense gives our clients a perspective informed by how cases can reach Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Runyon & Runyon was founded in 1929 and has been passed from father to son to grandson across four generations. Our attorneys have handled thousands of cases over the last 32 years. Former clients consistently describe the firm as honest, ethical, and attentive: they know what’s happening in their case at every stage. When your record and your future are on the line, that kind of communication isn’t a courtesy; it’s essential.

Talk to an Assault Defense Attorney in Clarksville Today

If you’re facing assault or aggravated assault charges in Clarksville or anywhere in Montgomery County, don’t wait to get legal help. The earlier we can review your case, the more options may be available to preserve.

Call (931) 805-4445 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with our Clarksville assault defense attorneys. We can review your charges, explain what you’re facing, and build a defense strategy around your specific circumstances.