Harassment Charges in Tennessee

Nashville Harassment Defense Lawyers

A harassment charge in Tennessee may begin with a misunderstanding, an emotional argument, or a series of unwanted messages—but the consequences can be serious and long-lasting. Harassment allegations frequently arise from breakups, domestic disputes, neighbor conflicts, workplace issues, or online communication that escalated unexpectedly. Once charged, you may face arrest, no-contact conditions, protective orders, and the stigma of a crime involving intimidation or emotional harm.

At Freeman & Fuson, we understand that harassment cases are often more complicated than they appear. They involve emotions, miscommunication, and personal relationships. Our attorneys take the time to understand the full context, investigate the evidence, and build a defense strategy that protects both your rights and your future.

Practice Areas 

What Counts as Harassment in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee law, a person can be charged with harassment if they intentionally engage in certain types of unwanted or disruptive communication. The statute covers a wide range of behaviors, including electronic communication, phone calls, written messages, and repeated contact.

A person commits harassment when they intentionally engage in one or more of the following:

1. Unwanted or Offensive Communication

Communicating with another person—by phone, text, email, social media, written letters, or any electronic means—without a legitimate purpose, and in a manner likely to annoy, offend, alarm, or cause emotional distress.

Examples include:

• Sending repeated text messages after being asked to stop
• Contacting someone late at night with no legitimate reason
• Posting unwanted messages on social media

2. Threatening Communication

Using communication with the intent to:

• Frighten
• Intimidate
• Harass
• Cause emotional distress

Threats do not have to involve physical harm; emotional intimidation can be enough to trigger a charge.

3. Repeated, Unwanted Contact

Engaging in repeated communication or conduct that:

• Serves no legitimate purpose, and
• Would cause a reasonable person to feel harassed, alarmed, annoyed, or emotionally distressed
  

4. Disruptive Phone or Electronic Use

Including:

• Calling without revealing your identity
• Causing someone’s phone to ring repeatedly
• Intentionally disrupting communications or causing unnecessary disturbance

“No Legitimate Purpose”: Why It Matters

A key element in Tennessee harassment law is whether the communication had a legitimate purpose. Communications related to:

• Co-parenting or children
• Business or employment
• Legal obligations
• Emergencies
• Shared property or household issues

…may be considered legitimate and therefore not harassment—even if the communication was unwanted or tense

Understanding this element is one of the most important parts of building a successful defense.

Penalties for Harassment in Tennessee

Harassment is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which can include:

• Up to 11 months and 29 days in jail
• Fines up to $2,500
• Probation
• Mandatory counseling or anger management
• No-contact orders or restrictions
• A permanent criminal record

A harassment conviction can affect employment, custody disputes, professional licensing, and the ability to obtain housing.

Aggravated Harassment (Felony)

Harassment becomes a Class E felony if the communication occurs while the accused is:

• Under an active Order of Protection
• Subject to a restraining order
• On probation or parole with a no-contact condition

Felony charges significantly increase the stakes, including potential prison time, extended probation, and long-term collateral consequences.

Harassment Charges Often Involve Misunderstanding and Emotion

Unlike many other criminal charges, harassment cases frequently arise from:

• Relationship breakdowns
• Domestic disputes
• Divorce or custody conflicts
• Workplace disagreements
• Neighbor disputes
• Online conflicts
• Emotional or impulsive communication

What one person views as emotional expression or an attempt to resolve an issue, another may perceive as intimidation or unwanted contact. Police often charge harassment based on limited information, without seeing the full context or mutual communication.

That’s why it’s essential to have a defense attorney who will carefully examine:

• The content and context of all communications
• Who initiated or continued the contact
• Physical evidence such as phone logs, screenshots, recordings, and messages
• Credibility issues and inconsistencies in statements
• Whether the communication had a legitimate purpose
• Whether the alleged conduct meets the statutory standards
• Any history of mutual conflict or provocation

Mark Freeman and Joseph Fuson take the time to understand not only the evidence but also the personal dynamics that led to the accusation—an approach that often produces better outcomes.

How We Defend Harassment Charges

Freeman & Fuson builds harassment defenses using a combination of factual investigation, legal analysis, and strategic negotiation.

Common defense strategies include:

Harassment cases often hinge on interpretation. With the right legal strategy, many can be reduced, dismissed, or resolved in ways that protect your record.