Domestic Violence

Frank Lannom and Melanie Bean decisively act to assure that domestic violence and domestic assault cases resolve in a manner to create more positive circumstances for all parties involved.  Although statutes governing domestic assault are designed with the intent to protect families and keep all family members safe, facing domestic assault charges or an order of protection can drastically and negatively impact you and your family. 

The charges found under domestic assault include many acts that most do not consider crimes.  These charges are often accompanied by Orders of Protection.  Conditional Bonds are frequently issued without a hearing that prevent individuals from living in their own homes, seeing their children, their spouse, possessing firearms and other basic rights.  Many individuals are denied the constitutional right to make bail and held for 12 hours in jail without any finding of guilt or even an opportunity to be heard in court.  The combinations of these arbitrary and abusive laws makes the process of a charge of Domestic Assault the most difficult to endure for citizens simply accused of the crime.

By the Tennessee Annotated Code, assault can happen in a variety of ways.  A person is said to commit assault when they:

• Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury to another;
• Intentionally or knowingly cause another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or
• Intentionally or knowingly cause physical contact with another and a reasonable person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative.

Domestic assault is said to occur when the assault (as outlined above) is committed on a household or a family member.  According to Tennessee law, a family or household member is defined as:

• A spouse or former spouse;
• A person related by blood or marriage;
• A person that the defendant lives with or has lived with in the past;
• The mother or father of the defendant’s children.

A domestic assault can be punished as a misdemeanor or a felony and the consequences of a domestic assault conviction can range from a fine to a jail sentence with months or even years of imprisonment.  Additionally, aforementioned unforeseen consequences can accompany a conviction of domestic assault, including the loss of firearm privileges and loss of contact with children or other family members.

If you or someone you know is confronted with domestic assault charges, Frank Lannom and Melanie Bean will act as your personal advocates, staunchly defending your case to insure your rights and privileges are protected and that your circumstance resolves to the best solution possible. We provide our experienced investigators for the service of our clients to assure the best representation.  Our firm has successfully battled the arbitrary imposition of the above penalties by the government. Our recognition that every person deserves the very best defense makes the just treatment of each client and the successful resolution of each case a priority in our firm.