Tempers can run high in many situations in Tennessee and before you realize it, you might find yourself exchanging blows with another person. In this situation, you may face a charge of aggravated assault. At May & McKinney, PLLC, we know it is important for you to understand this charge and what it might mean for your future.
You may think that aggravated assault means you simply exchanged blows with someone. According to FindLaw, aggravated assault is a more serious offense. Incidents which result in this charge may involve weapons. Even if someone does not use the weapon to harm another person, the presence of this weapon can elevate an assault charge to aggravated assault. This is because the presence of the weapon can cause people to worry about their safety. Additionally, your mental state can result in this charge if you intended to hurt people or make them fear for their safety.
Sometimes the occupation of the person you had a conflict with can cause a basic assault to become an aggravated assault. If you assault a teacher, a firefighter or a member of law enforcement, this is usually considered an aggravated assault.
An aggravated assault charge might be the result of numerous situations. A disagreement at a sporting event might easily turn violent, and people might also exchange blows at a bar. Domestic conflicts might also result in an aggravated assault charge. You may face many consequences if a court convicts you of this charge. In some situations, you may have to pay a fine, but in other circumstances, you might face imprisonment. You can find more information about this subject on our webpage.
