Domestic Violence

A domestic violence or domestic assault allegation can change a person’s life forever. Especially in the current climate of political strife in this country, an allegation alone can impact your reputation forever. Domestic Assault is also unique in a few other ways. First, it is one of those allegations that can happen to anyone, whether they be a doctor, lawyer, or farmer. Second, a conviction for a domestic assault can impact a person for the remainder of their life. While most domestic assaults in Tennessee are usually a misdemeanor, the federal government has passed laws restricting the rights of people who have been convicted of domestic assault. The main right that is impacted is the right to own or possess a firearm. If you are convicted of the crime of domestic assault, you will never again be able to own or possess a firearm, even if the conviction is a misdemeanor.

Domestic assault in Tennessee is an assault against a victim who is a family or household member including:

• a current or former spouse of the offender

• person with whom the offender resides or previously resided

• person who the offender is dating or previously dated or someone with whom the offender has or previously had a sexual relationship

• someone with whom the offender is related by blood or adoption

• a person with whom the offender is or was related by marriage, and

• an adult or minor child of the offender or a family or household member. (Tenn. Code Ann. §36-3-601, §39-13-11.)

However, in reality, a domestic assault charge is frequently able to be resolved in a way that does not restrict gun rights but that requires the input of a criminal defense attorney at the earliest stage of the proceeding. If you are a citizen accused of a domestic assault, it is vital that you contact a criminal defense attorney to start working on your case and salvaging your reputation.