Assault Lawyer in Murfreesboro

Former Prosecutors Defending Assault Charges in Murfreesboro, TN

Santel | Garner is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with more than 75 years of combined legal experience across criminal defense, business litigation, and family law. Our team includes former government prosecutors who understand how the state builds an assault case from the ground up. That background shapes how we defend one. You work directly with one designated attorney throughout your case, backed by the collective insight of our entire legal team. No handoffs. No outsourcing.

If you’re facing an assault charge in Rutherford County, contact Santel | Garner at (615) 987-0268 to schedule a free consultation. The sooner you have an attorney involved, the more options you may have.

How Tennessee Defines Assault

Under Tennessee Code § 39-13-101, assault can be charged three ways: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person; intentionally or knowingly placing someone in reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury; or intentionally or knowingly making physical contact a reasonable person would regard as extremely offensive or provocative.

The classification turns on what the charge involves. Causing bodily injury or placing someone in reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying potential incarceration and a fine of up to $15,000. A charge based solely on offensive or provocative contact without injury or fear is a Class B misdemeanor. That distinction matters immediately, both for what you’re facing and for how a defense is built.

When Assault Becomes Aggravated Assault

Simple assault escalates to aggravated assault under T.C.A. § 39-13-102 when the conduct involves the use or display of a deadly weapon, results in serious bodily injury, or meets other aggravating circumstances spelled out in the statute. Aggravated assault is a felony. Committed intentionally or knowingly, it’s generally classified as a Class C felony; committed recklessly, it’s a Class D felony. Either classification carries significantly heavier consequences than a misdemeanor conviction.

The line between a misdemeanor and a felony charge often comes down to how injury and weapon evidence is characterized. That’s where former-prosecutor insight becomes directly useful.

What Former Prosecutors Bring to Your Assault Defense

Our attorneys have sat at the state’s table. We know which elements prosecutors focus on to move a case from simple to aggravated assault, and we know where that evidence tends to be weakest. Whether the question is whether an object actually qualifies as a deadly weapon under the statute, whether the alleged injury meets the threshold for “serious bodily injury,” or whether witness accounts are consistent, we approach the file the same way a prosecutor would because we’ve done exactly that.

Santel | Garner holds an Avvo Superb Rating in criminal defense. Each client’s case gets an individualized defense plan built around the specific facts of their situation, not a template applied to a charge type.

Rutherford County Courts & Local Jurisdiction

Assault allegations in the Murfreesboro area are investigated by the Murfreesboro Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. The Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office handles prosecution. Cases are heard at the Rutherford County Judicial Center in downtown Murfreesboro, with misdemeanor assault matters generally handled in General Sessions Court and felony charges proceeding to Circuit Court. Knowing how cases move through this courthouse, and who is likely prosecuting them, informs strategy at every stage.

Protecting Your Rights After an Assault Allegation

You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney before answering any questions. Exercise both. Statements made during questioning, even informal ones before arrest, can become part of the state’s case. The earlier an assault lawyer is involved, the more options may remain available for negotiation, suppression, or dismissal.

Self-defense is a recognized defense when you reasonably believed you faced imminent danger and responded proportionally. Tennessee doesn’t impose a duty to retreat before using force against an imminent threat. Whether self-defense applies, and how to present it effectively, depends on the specific facts of what happened and what the evidence actually shows.

Talk to an Assault Attorney in Murfreesboro Today

Santel | Garner offers a free consultation to discuss your assault charge and what defense options may apply to your situation. Reach us by phone at (615) 987-0268 or through the contact us form on our site.