Most people are aware that some criminal offenses rise to the level of “aggravated.” This typically occurs when a deadly weapon is involved, someone suffers serious injury or a particularly vulnerable person, like a child, senior citizen or disabled person is the victim.
The level of the offense and the potential penalties for someone convicted of committing it are higher than for the “non-aggravated” version of the crime.
In Tennessee, there’s yet another level known as “especially aggravated.” This classification may be used by prosecutors when the circumstances are even more serious and heinous than for the “aggravated” offense.
What offenses have “especially aggravated” options?
Tennessee’s especially aggravated crimes include:
- Especially aggravated robbery
- Especially aggravated burglary
- Especially aggravated kidnapping
- Especially aggravated rape (and rape of a child)
- Especially aggravated assault
This last one – especially aggravated assault — was added by Tennessee lawmakers just over a decade ago. The law states that a person commits especially aggravated assault if they do it “intentionally or knowingly” or “recklessly,” display or use a deadly weapon AND cause “serious bodily injury.”
If the offense is committed “intentionally or knowingly,” it’s considered a Class B felony. If it’s committed “recklessly,” it’s a Class C felony.
As you can see, the details of an alleged crime matter. They can make the difference in specifically what crime a person is charged with, how much time they might have to spend behind bars and other potential consequences they might face.
This is just one reason why it’s crucial to get experienced legal guidance as soon as possible if you or a loved one is facing any criminal charge – but especially one that involves causing bodily harm to someone and that could result in the loss of freedom.