Assault

[fishnrod]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Tennessee. My mother and I filed a criminal summons against my ex sister-in-law. She came to our house and began argueing and then she shoved my Mom into a support post of our deck, I then grabbed her and pulled her off my Mom and hit her a couple of times. We filed a police report and then went to press charges, it was called a criminal summons. She was served with the summons and then immediately went and filed a criminal summons against my Mother and I, as well as an order of protection. Should we consult with an attorney?

[aaron]

You're charged with assault and need to contest an order of protection? Yes, you should consult an attorney.

[cyjeff]

All parties may be charged and convicted.

Hitting her "a couple of times" is assault.

[fishnrod]

I was protecting my mother, and when I said I hit her a couple of times I didn't really give enough details. She had her hand on my Moms face (thats how she pushed her) and I grabbed her by the arm (to get her off my Mom) she swung around with her other hand and grabbed my hair, I then grabbed that arm as well. So now I am holding both of her arms and she is fighting to get free and I said I will let you go if you just leave, she said she would and I let go, she grabbed at my face and put several scratches and then I grabbed both her arms again ( my mom was calling the police during this time) and while I was holding her arms she was fighting hard to get loose and in the process of her fighting she got hit in the face a couple of times. I never actually punched her or anything, although in hindsite I wish I had!