The Crime

Criminal Impersonation is a serious offense that can damage your record and your reputation. If you have been charged with Criminal Impersonation, you should seek help from the Knoxville criminal defense attorneys at the Oberman & Rice Law Firm.

In Tennessee, a person may be convicted of the crime of Criminal Impersonation if the state prosecutor proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the person intended to injure or defraud another person and:

1. Assumed a false identity;
2. Pretended to be a representative of some person or organization;
3. Pretended to be an officer or employee of the government; or
4. Pretended to have a disability.

If convicted of Criminal Impersonation under the facts listed above, the offense is a Class B Misdemeanor and may result in some or all of the following penalties:

1. A sentence of up to 6 months in jail;
2. A probationary period;
3. A fine; and
4. Court costs.

In Tennessee, a person may also be convicted of Criminal Impersonation if the state prosecutor proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the person pretended to be a law enforcement officer for the purpose of:

1. Engaging in an activity that is ordinarily and customarily an activity established by law as a law enforcement activity; and
2. Causing another to believe that the person is a law enforcement officer.

Criminal Impersonation under these circumstances is a Class A Misdemeanor and may result in some or all of the following penalties:

1. A sentence of up to 11 months, 29 days in jail;
2. A probationary period;
3. A fine; and
4. Court costs.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-301]

Why Hire An Attorney Immediately?

It is important to act quickly in order to gather and preserve favorable evidence. Certain witnesses need to be interviewed as soon as possible. Key evidence (faces, dates, events, and conversations) fades from memory over time. Also, video recordings and other evidence may be destroyed. Therefore, it is critical to begin an investigation as soon as possible to ensure valuable evidence is not lost. Success or failure in any criminal case may be determined in the decisions of the defendant and his or her Tennessee Criminal Attorney in only a few hours or days after an arrest.

Contact Us Today

If you or someone you know has recently received an aggravated assault charge, contact the Oberman & Rice Law Firm today so that we can begin preparing a defense for your case. Submit your information for a free case evaluation from our Knoxville Criminal Defense attorneys or call our office at 865-249-7200.