Assault Charges Criminal Defense Attorneys, Knoxville, TN
Counseling clients in Maryville, Sevierville, Clinton, Lenoir City and Loudon
An assault conviction can affect many aspects of your life. In addition to having a criminal record for a violent offense, you can face jail time and fines. You also may have trouble seeking employment or attending a university. At Banks and Jones, our firm comprises a team of professional and experienced criminal defense attorneys. Together, we have fought for the rights of clients charged with assault and other violent crimes in the Knoxville area for decades. We know what is at stake in your case, and we are prepared to help you create a solid defense.
Types of assault
According to data compiled by the Knoxville Police Department, there were an estimated 2,313 simple assaults and 989 aggravated assaults in the city in 2023. If you or your loved one is arrested for assault, seek competent legal help immediately. At our firm, we protect your rights every step of the way. Our lawyers understand the repercussions that misdemeanors and felonies have on your future. We routinely defend clients arrested for the following types of assault:
- Simple assault. Simple assault is intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person. It is a Class A misdemeanor penalized by $2,500 in fines and up to one year in jail.
- Aggravated assault. Aggravated assault is simple assault with serious bodily injury to a victim, the attempt to cause serious bodily harm. You might also be charged with aggravated assault if you use a deadly weapon – even if you don’t actually harm the other person at all. You can be charged with either a Class C or a Class D felony and receive between 2 and 15 years in prison, if convicted.
- Domestic assault. Domestic assault is an assault that occurs between you and an intimate partner, family member or housemate. The penalties for domestic assault are the same as those for regular assault. However, under Tennessee domestic violence laws, you lose the right to carry a firearm for life if you are convicted of the charge.
- Vehicular assault. To be charged with vehicular assault, you must have caused serious bodily injury to another person, and you must have been intoxicated while behind the wheel. It’s a Class D felony, which means two (2) to 12 years in prison if you’re convicted. Conviction also means the loss of your license for at least a year. Under the law, “Any sentence imposed for a first violation of this section shall include a mandatory minimum sentence of forty-eight (48) consecutive hours of incarceration,” and the time only increases if you have more than one DUI or other alcohol-related offense.
The consequences you face for an assault charge depend on the unique circumstances of your case. Were you using a knife, bat or gun? Did you physically or verbally assault the victim? How seriously was the victim injured? Even if you did not touch the victim, the state may charge you with assault if you only threatened the victim. If you have been arrested for assault after a bar fight or brawl, consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Our Knoxville criminal defense attorneys explore every option to determine the most effective way to resolve your case.
Types of Cases We Handle
Our attorneys handle a variety of cases, including:
| Assault | Driving under the influence | Drug crimes |
| Criminal Defense | Juvenile crimes | Homicide |
| Rape | Reckless driving | Robbery |
| Theft | White collar crimes | Felonies vs. Misdemeanors |
| Rape | White-Collar Crimes |
Choose a defense team that fights tirelessly for you on assault charges
At Banks and Jones, we are in court advocating for our clients every day. We know how serious your assault case is, and our lawyers are prepared to provide you with competent legal guidance. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, call 865-546-2141 or fill out our contact form.
