Aggravated Assault Lawyer in Clarksville, TN

Three Generations of Criminal Defense in Clarksville Since 1929

Runyon & Runyon has served Clarksville, Tennessee since 1929, when the firm’s founder first opened its doors. Three generations later, our attorneys continue representing clients facing serious criminal charges, including aggravated assault, throughout Montgomery County.

An aggravated assault charge carries felony-level consequences that can define the rest of your life. The sooner you have an attorney reviewing the details of your case, the better positioned you can be to respond.

If you or someone you know is facing an aggravated assault charge in Clarksville, call us at (931) 805-4445 to schedule a free consultation with our criminal defense attorneys.

What Makes an Assault “Aggravated” Under Tennessee Law

Simple assault under TCA § 39-13-101 covers intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury, placing someone in fear of imminent harm, or making physical contact a reasonable person would find extremely offensive. Aggravated assault is a step above that. Tennessee Code § 39-13-102 defines the offense as committing an assault that results in serious bodily injury or death, involves the use or display of a deadly weapon, or involves strangulation or attempted strangulation.

The statute also captures reckless conduct. A person who recklessly causes serious bodily injury or death, or recklessly uses or displays a deadly weapon during an assault, can be charged under the same statute. Tennessee law extends liability further: a parent or custodian who knowingly fails to protect a child or adult from an aggravated assault may also face charges.

Felony Penalties for an Aggravated Assault Conviction

Most aggravated assault convictions in Tennessee are felonies, and the classification depends on how the offense was committed. The distinctions matter because they determine the prison range a judge may impose at sentencing.

• Class C felony (intentional or knowing): When the assault involves serious bodily injury, a deadly weapon, or strangulation and is committed intentionally or knowingly, the offense is generally a Class C felony, carrying 3 to 15 years in prison.
• Class B felony (strangulation with a pregnant victim): If the victim is pregnant at the time of a strangulation-based assault, the charge is elevated to a Class B felony.
• Class D felony (reckless): A recklessly committed aggravated assault is generally a Class D felony, punishable by 2 to 12 years in prison.
• Fines and restitution: Tennessee law authorizes a fine of up to $15,000 for aggravated assault, separate from and in addition to other penalties. Courts may also order restitution to the victim.
• Domestic assault enhancement: When the offense involves a domestic relationship as defined under Tennessee law, the court adds a fine based on the defendant’s ability to pay, up to $200, plus an electronic monitoring indigency fee.

How an Aggravated Assault Case Moves Through Montgomery County Courts

Felony charges in Clarksville, Tennessee enter the system through General Sessions Court, which conducts the preliminary hearing. At that stage, a judge determines whether probable cause exists to bind the case over to Circuit Court for further proceedings. Montgomery County’s Circuit Court, which serves the 19th Judicial District, then handles the felony case record: the indictment, pretrial motions, any trial, and sentencing if the case results in a conviction.

Each stage presents its own opportunities. How a case is handled at the preliminary hearing can shape what happens in felony court, which is why early legal representation matters.

Defense Strategies for Aggravated Assault Charges

No two cases are identical, but several defenses frequently apply to aggravated assault charges. Self-defense is one of the most common: Tennessee law recognizes the right to protect yourself and others from harm. Other defenses include lack of intent, mistaken identity, and arguments that the prosecution can’t prove every required element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

Evidence questions can also drive a defense. If law enforcement conducted an unlawful search or seizure during the investigation, that evidence may be subject to suppression. Our attorneys examine how evidence was gathered from the start of a case.