What Constitutes Domestic Violence?
Tennessee courts take domestic violence cases very seriously. If you have been accused of or arrested for a domestic violence-related offense, you must be ready to defend yourself or face the harsh punishments of a conviction. The Tennessee domestic violence lawyers at Raybin & Weissman can help with various domestic violence charges and will do everything possible to prevent you from suffering the life-changing consequences of a conviction.
If you have yet to speak to our Tennessee domestic violence lawyer, here’s what you should know about domestic violence laws in Tennessee.
What Constitutes Domestic Violence In Tennessee?
In Tennessee, you have committed domestic violence or domestic assault if you:
- Recklessly or intentionally injured another individual;
- Caused an individual to reasonably fear they are going to be harmed; or
- Physically touched an individual in a way that any reasonable individual would find offensive or provocative.
The alleged victim of domestic violence must be a household or family member, such as:
- A former or current spouse
- A former or current sexual, dating, or intimate partner
- A former or current roommate
- Individuals formerly or currently related by marriage
- Blood or adoptive relatives
- A child or parent, including a minor child or an adult of the defendant or a household or family member
It’s also crucial to note that other offenses, like the ones below, typically carry additional restrictions and penalties if a defendant commits them against a household or family member:
- Simple or Aggravated Assault
- Abduction or Kidnapping
- Intimidation
- Stalking
- Fondling
- Rape
- Sodomy
- Statutory Rape
- Sexual Assault involving an object
- Murder
- Incest
If the police have reasonable cause to suspect that you have committed domestic violence, they can arrest you without a warrant. They should have a compelling and clear reason to not arrest you. Additionally, they can arrest you regardless of the severity of the incident and even if they did not actually witness the crime.
Because domestic violence offenses involve family members, they bring up many different emotions. Due to the inherently emotional nature of such cases, it’s common for alleged victims to change their minds and admit that they exaggerated or completely made up their version of the events.
However, police officers and prosecutors go after domestic violence suspects very aggressively. Once they are involved in your case, the alleged victim cannot just simply retract their story and withdraw the case. It will be up to the prosecutor to decide whether to prosecute you.
Reach Out to a Skilled Tennessee Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
At Raybin & Weissman, our Tennessee domestic violence lawyers know full well how emotional and overwhelming cases involving domestic violence can be. In most cases, both parties rely on words and actions they wish they didn’t say and do, which makes matters all the more complicated.
Whether you are facing a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence charge, our Tennessee domestic violence lawyers can guide you through the complex and emotionally charged issues in your case. They will investigate your case to safeguard your legal rights and formulate the best possible defense to secure the most favorable outcome for your case. Schedule your free consultation with our Tennessee criminal defense lawyer by calling 615-256-6666 or reaching us online.