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TCA 39-13-115

Aggravated vehicular assault

FELONY CClass C Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

Aggravated vehicular assault is a Class C felony (3-15 years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000) that occurs when someone commits vehicular assault and either has two or more prior drunk driving convictions within the last 20 years, or has a prior conviction for vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, or aggravated vehicular homicide, or had a blood alcohol level of 0.20% or higher and at least one prior drunk driving conviction. Prior convictions from any state count.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass C Felony
Maximum Jail3-15 years
Maximum Fine$10,000
Penalty SummaryClass C felony; 3-15 years; fine up to $10,000
(a) As used in this section, “prior conviction” means an offense for which the person was convicted prior to the aggravated vehicular assault charge. This definition includes prior convictions from this state or any other state, district, or territory of the United States within the last twenty (20) years. (b) A person commits aggravated vehicular assault who: (1) (A) Commits vehicular assault, as defined in § 39-13-106; and (B) (i) Has two (2) or more prior convictions for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, as defined in § 55-10-401, or boating under the influence, as defined in § 69-9-217(a); or (ii) Has one (1) or more prior convictions for: (a) Vehicular assault; (b) Vehicular homicide, as defined in § 39-13-213(a)(2); or (c) Aggravated vehicular homicide, as defined in § 39-13-218; or (2) (A) Had an alcohol concentration in the person’s blood or breath of twenty-hundredths of one percent (0.20%) or more at the time of the offense; and (B) Has one (1) prior conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, as defined in § 55-10-401, or boating under the influence, as defined in § 69-9-217(a). (c) The indictment, in a separate count, shall specify, charge, and give notice of the required prior conviction or convictions. If the person is convicted of vehicular assault under § 39-13-106, the trier-of-fact shall separately consider whether the person has the required aggravating factors necessary to commit aggravated vehicular assault. (d) For the purpose of determining if a person has sufficient aggravating factors to qualify for aggravated vehicular assault, applicable prior convictions occurring prior to July 1, 2015, may be used; provided, that the conduct constituting aggravated vehicular assault occurs on or after July 1, 2015. (e) A violation of this section is a Class C felony, and there shall additionally be imposed a fine of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). (f) Upon conviction for aggravated vehicular assault, the court shall prohibit the convicted person from driving a vehicle or operating a vessel subject to registration in this state pursuant to § 39-13-106(c).
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

FELONY C
TCA Section39-13-115
Max Jail3-15 years
Max Fine$10,000