Nashville Assault Attorney
If you have been charged with assault, simple or aggravated, you could be facing significant consequences. You may not only be in danger of facing jail time but could also incur serious blows to your reputation and rights to vote, drive, and own a firearm. In addition to these penalties, an assault conviction can take a serious emotional toll. A Nashville assault lawyer can help you fight to have your charges dropped or penalties lessened.
No matter how grave your situation may seem, it is essential to seek the guidance and help of a criminal defense lawyer in Nashville. Legal defense methods you may be completely unaware of could save you from serious consequences in the future. By sharing your case with a lawyer and allowing them to assess the facts, you could achieve a much more favorable outcome than you might have on your own.

The Music City Defender
At the Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez, we know how devastating assault charges can be. We’ve helped many clients clear their name when charged with assault, and we’re prepared to do the same for you. Our experienced team knows how to craft a winning defense strategy.
Classifications of Assault in Tennessee
In Nashville, TN, assault charges can be divided into various classifications. The two main types of assault are simple and aggravated. Within these two categories, there are varying degrees of severity that affect the consequences a convicted offender will receive. It is vital to be aware of all types of classifications if you have been charged with assault.
Simple Assault
Simple assault is a form of assault that is less severe in nature. This term describes offenses in which a victim is threatened or has reason to fear they will be threatened. Simple assault can also include situations in which extremely minor physical harm was done. Examples of this can include uninvited touching or the threat of unwanted touching and reasonable fear of harm through the use of words or actions.
To be charged with simple assault, you do not need to have committed any physical harm. Simply threatening to touch or attempting to touch someone can be enough to lead to a charge.
Penalties for Simple Assault
In Tennessee, simple assault is generally considered a misdemeanor. Penalties for these types of misdemeanors can include the following:
- Fines, with the amount varying depending on the severity of the offense.
- Up to a year of jail time, depending on the severity of the offense and the intentions behind the offense.
- Restitution for medical costs, property damage, and any other costs incurred by the victim as a result of the assault.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is a more serious form of assault, including an element in which there is a direct intention to cause harm. Aggravated assault can also include the use or threat of the use of a deadly weapon, such as a gun or knife. There must be a clear, direct intention of causing serious bodily harm or the presence of a weapon for an assault to be charged as aggravated.
Penalties for Aggravated Assault
The penalties an individual receives for an aggravated assault conviction will vary depending on the extent of the victim’s injuries and the intention of the offender. Many cases of aggravated assault are tried as felonies, meaning the consequences are significantly more severe. Some possible penalties include:
- Multiple years in prison, the timing depending on the severity of the assault and the offender’s criminal background.
- High fines.
- Loss of the ability to vote, own a firearm, and possess a driver’s license.

Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Nashville
Criminal Defense: We provide aggressive and strategic defense representation for clients facing all types of criminal charges. Our experienced attorneys protect your constitutional rights and fight to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Assault: We defend clients accused of assault charges, from simple assault to aggravated assault. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances and build strong defenses to protect your freedom and reputation.
Domestic Violence: Domestic violence charges carry serious consequences including restraining orders and loss of custody rights. We provide vigorous defense while understanding the sensitive nature of these cases.
Drug Crimes: From possession to trafficking charges, we defend clients against all drug-related offenses. Our attorneys challenge illegal searches and work to minimize penalties or secure alternative sentencing options.
DUI: DUI charges can result in license suspension, fines, and jail time. We scrutinize the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and breathalyzer results to build a strong defense on your behalf.
Felony: Felony convictions carry severe penalties including lengthy prison sentences. We provide experienced representation to protect your rights and fight for the best possible resolution to serious charges.
Gun Crime: Weapons charges can result in mandatory minimum sentences and loss of gun rights. Our attorneys understand Tennessee firearms laws and work to defend your Second Amendment rights.
Sex Crimes: Sex crime allegations can destroy reputations and result in sex offender registration. We provide discreet, aggressive defense while protecting your rights throughout the legal process.
Theft: We defend clients against all theft-related charges including shoplifting, burglary, and grand theft. Our goal is to minimize consequences and explore alternatives to conviction when possible.
Violent Crime: Violent crime charges carry the most serious penalties under Tennessee law. We provide experienced defense representation to protect your freedom and future against these serious allegations.
White Collar Crimes: We defend professionals accused of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Our attorneys understand complex financial evidence and build strategic defenses for white collar cases.
FAQs About Nashville, TN Assault Law
Assault is a broad legal term in Tennessee used to refer to any criminal activity in which an individual threatens to cause or intentionally causes physical injury to another person. In some cases, harm is caused through reckless actions. There are some cases when the simple threat or imposition of fear can be considered assault. There are also varying degrees of assault, some being more serious and carrying more significant consequences than others.
It is possible for assault charges to be dropped in Tennessee, although it is only possible under specific conditions. The final decision to drop the charges lies with the prosecutor, meaning that the defense cannot do anything directly to have them dropped. If a victim wishes to drop the charges, the prosecutor must agree with their decision.
Simple assault is considered the lowest classification of assault charges in Tennessee. It is considered a misdemeanor because no aggravating factors are involved. There is typically minimal bodily injury and no long-term effects. Simple assault convictions can result in an individual spending a short or extended period of time in jail. They could also be required to pay a fine or do community service.
The role of an assault attorney is to represent and defend their client’s rights and freedoms. If convicted of an assault charge, you could face significant consequences that could seriously change your life and the lives of your loved ones. An assault defense attorney has the responsibility to ensure your rights are respected, that you receive a fair trial, and that you incur no unjust punishments as a result.
The Music City Defender, Experienced Assault Defense Attorney
Being charged with assault can have significant negative effects on your life. Even simple assault charges can require you to spend time in jail, pay serious fines, and face other consequences. If you are charged with aggravated assault, the penalties can be even more devastating. The first step you can take in building a strong defense is to contact an experienced defense attorney.
At the Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez, we are familiar with the complexities involved in assault cases of all kinds. These cases require sensitivity and precision to navigate successfully. It is essential that you are informed of your rights as soon as possible to ensure that you are treated
Nashville, TN Assault Law Additional Resources:
For more information about crime statistics, criminal defense, and legal matters in Tennessee, explore these helpful resources:
Crime Statistics & Data
Criminal Defense Information
Serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee
When you’re facing criminal charges in Nashville or throughout Middle Tennessee, your future, freedom, and reputation hang in the balance. At the Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez, we understand that a conviction can devastate not only your life but also the lives of your family members. Our dedicated criminal defense attorney brings nearly a decade of experience fighting for clients accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies.
Based in Nashville and serving the greater Davidson County area, The Music City Defender has built a reputation for aggressive representation and strategic defense work that protects clients’ Constitutional rights at every stage of the criminal justice process. Whether you’re facing charges in Nashville’s municipal courts, Tennessee state courts, or federal court, our firm has the experience and resources necessary to mount a comprehensive defense tailored to the unique circumstances of your case.
Whether you’ve been arrested for a DUI on Broadway, charged with assault in downtown Nashville, accused of drug crimes, or facing any other criminal allegations in Middle Tennessee, partnering with a Nashville criminal defense lawyer who understands Tennessee’s criminal justice system and is prepared to fight relentlessly for your rights can be the decisive factor between conviction and freedom, between a ruined future and a second chance.