Charged with Domestic Violence While Visiting Nashville: What to Do Next
Whether you are coming to Nashville to see the sights or watch the NFL draft, sometimes things get out of hand between you and your significant other, a family member, or a close friend. When this happens, you could be arrested on a domestic violence charge.
Being arrested while visiting another city can be a scary experience, but having a regarded criminal defense attorney representing you in court can help ease your fears. The penalties for a domestic violence conviction are severe in Tennessee, and you will need to retain exceptional legal representation who can give your case the attention it deserves.
Continue reading to learn more about the ramifications of a domestic violence conviction and how a criminal defense lawyer at Raybin & Weissman, P.C. could help you.
Consequences You’ll Face
The penalties for a guilty domestic violence verdict will vary depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, if you and your wife got into an argument in your hotel one night and the police arrested you for simple assault, you could be facing a misdemeanor charge.
Class B misdemeanors could land you in jail for six months with a $500 fine, and Class A misdemeanors are punishable by one year in jail and the imposition of fines not to exceed $2,500.
Conversely, if you were arrested for aggravated assault, the consequences are much worse. Aggravated assault is a felony in Tennessee. Generally speaking, those arrested on aggravated assault domestic violence charges will face a Class D felony or a Class C felony.
Class D felonies are punishable by a maximum of 12 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine, and a Class C felony conviction could result in a 15 year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.
Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney
These penalties are only the legal consequences if you are found guilty of a domestic violence charge. The damage to your reputation, on the other hand, is something you may never live down. For this reason and more, it may be in your best interests to secure help defending your case by retaining a criminal defense lawyer.
Your attorney will work rigorously to build your defense. There are a number of different defensive strategies we can use to secure your freedom, which include:
- Self-defense
- Lack of probable cause
- A lying victim
- Lack of intent to commit a crime
- Investigative errors
These are just a few of the most commonly used defenses in domestic violence cases. Your attorney will need to carefully review the circumstances of your case prior to determining which defense will yield the most favorable outcome for you and your family.
Retain an Experienced TN Domestic Violence Lawyer
If you’ve been charged with domestic violence and need legal representation to clear your name, consult a highly trained Nashville domestic violence lawyer at Raybin & Weissman, P.C. You can schedule your free consultation by completing the online contact form included at the bottom of this page or by calling our Nashville office at 615-256-6666.