Clarksville Carjacking Defense Attorneys

Penalties for an aggravated robbery — even a non-deadly one — include the following:

• Up to 60 years in prison
• Up to $50,000 in criminal fines

Carjacking that involves serious injuries to anyone in or near the vehicle, or serious injuries suffered by the carjacker’s intended target or driver, will be punished as a Class A felony of especially aggravated robbery. 

The penalties for an especially aggravated carjacking conviction include the following:

• A minimum 15-year prison sentence
• Up to 60 years behind bars
• Up to $50,000 in fines

When associated with an especially aggravated carjacking case, the additional sentences listed above for especially aggravated robbery can be “stacked.” This means they can run consecutively, escalating the potential prison sentence.

Carjacking Charges & Defenses in Tennessee

To secure a carjacking conviction, the prosecution will need to prove:

• The defendant knowingly took a motor vehicle from another person and did so without that person’s consent
• The defendant used force or the threat of force — or placed the victim in reasonable fear of bodily injury

Also, it is a specific crime to steal a vehicle from a driver on the road.

It’s important to talk with your attorney about the carjacking charges you face. This will help you create the most effective defense. Contact us online here!

Some defenses from carjacking charges include:

• Lack of criminal intent
• Proving that the vehicle belonged to you
• The police obtained evidence against you illegally
• You are the victim of mistaken identity

Carjacking in Tennessee: More on the Law

Tennessee has several laws that define and punish various vehicle theft crimes in the state. Let’s take a closer look at how they apply to carjacking.

Under Tennessee Code Annotated (TSC) 39-13-403 and TSC 39-13-404, it is a crime to engage in “carjacking” and “aggravated carjacking,” respectively. 

• Carjacking involves stealing a motor vehicle from another person under force, threat or intimidation. 
• Aggravated carjacking automatically kicks in when the carjacker uses a deadly weapon during one of these crimes. The vehicle’s owner can serve as the victim for both of these offenses.

In addition, under TSC 39-14-104, it is a crime to take or drive another person’s vehicle without their prior consent. This is “joyriding.” While it’s not a violent crime, joyriding is still a criminal act and a theft crime. Penalties can be up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine, assuming the car that was driven is valued between $500 and $1,000.

How Grimes & Warren PLLC Attorneys Can Help You

There are different ways our Clarksville carjacking defense lawyers at Grimes & Warren PLLC can help:

• A carjacking defense attorney from our team will be at your side every step of the way, working to have your charges dismissed or reduced. We will help you fight for the best possible outcome. If that means going to trial, we will do just that.
• There is no time to waste in a carjacking case. We gather evidence before starts to disappear, which happens almost immediately. Call us today at to get started on your defense.
• We offer affordable and flexible payment plans that make top-rated legal services accessible to everyone.

In more than 30 years of combined experienced, we have written a history of impressive case outcomes. Let us handle your case as a team and work for the best outcome!

Every carjacking case starts with a call. Contact our Clarksville carjacking defense lawyers to arrange your one-on-one consultation. Call now at (931) 398-5308 or book online!