
Lebanon Sex Offense Attorneys
Understanding Sexual Battery Laws in Tennessee
Sexual battery (or sexual assault) is illegal in Tennessee and punished as a felony. Note that the law aims to protect strangers, acquaintances, and married people equally, so there is no exception or defense to prosecution for assault or rape that occurs within a marriage.
In Tennessee, sexual battery refers to sexual contact (intentional touching of any party's intimate parts or clothing covering them, if touching for sexual arousal or gratification) with another person by force, coercion, fraud, or without the other person’s able consent.
The offense rises to aggravated sexual battery if:
- it causes bodily injury to the other person;
- the defendant carried a weapon during the offense or was aided by one or more other people; or
- the alleged victim was younger than 13 years old at the time of the offense.
Sex offenses are highly complex and a continually changing area of the law that requires an attorney who understands the laws of the sex offense registry and the recent updates to state and federal statutes. Legislation makes hundreds if not thousands of proposals to change Tennessee law every year and many of them are targeted at sex offense sentencing, evidentiary, or registry requirements. We have created a detailed sex offense chart that breaks down the various offenses and possible punishments, which we can examine as we work through your related case and craft a strong defense against your charge.
Comprehensive Guide to Rape and Statutory Rape in Tennessee
Rape occurs when a defendant forces another person to have unwanted sexual penetration. Note that whereas sexual battery involves unwanted sexual contact, rape requires penetration, however slight. However, like battery, rape also includes circumstances when the victim is mentally incapable of giving consent to sex (e.g., being in a coma, having passed out from drug or alcohol use) and fraud. The offense is considered aggravated rape if it causes bodily injury to the victim, or if the defendant carried a weapon during the offense or was aided by one or more other people.

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To say that the legal representation that I received from Donnavon and his team was exceptional does not adequately describe the representation that I received from them. Throughout my situation I was able to witness just how much Donnavon was respected in the legal community firsthand, you are truly not going to want any other law firm representing you and your interests. The outcome of my situation could not have turned out better and I am truly grateful for his hard work.- R.J.
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