If you’ve been arrested for domestic assault in Tennessee, one of the first legal challenges you’ll face is a no-contact order. Many people assume it only applies if both parties agree, or that it’s temporary until the first court date. Unfortunately, that misunderstanding can have serious consequences for the accused—even a single response to a message from the alleged victim can land you back in jail and held without bond.
To make things even more complicated, a 2024 Tennessee law now requires GPS monitoring in certain domestic assault cases, and our attorneys are seeing it imposed more frequently, even for misdemeanors. That means some defendants are being tracked by an ankle monitor and mobile app before they’ve even had a chance to defend themselves in court.
In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what a no-contact order means, how even minor violations can lead to serious consequences, how the GPS monitoring law works, and what steps you can take to modify or challenge your bond conditions.
What Is A No-Contact Order In Tennessee?
A no-contact order is one of the most common bond conditions imposed after a domestic assault arrest in Tennessee. It’s a court-ordered restriction that takes effect as soon as you’re released from jail—and it can severely limit your ability to return home or communicate with the alleged victim.
Who Does A No-Contact Order Apply To?
The no-contact order applies only to the defendant, not the alleged victim. That means even if the other person tries to reach out to you, you are legally prohibited from responding or initiating any form of communication.
What Forms of Contact Are Prohibited?
“No contact” truly means no contact of any kind, including:
- Direct contact: phone calls, text messages, in-person visits, emails
- Indirect contact: messages sent through friends or family, social media interactions (likes, comments, DMs), or any other form of communication through a third party
Violating any part of this condition, even if it seems minor or unintentional, can lead to severe and immediate penalties, including being re-arrested and held without bond.
The Importance Of Obeying No-Contact Orders
One of the most unfortunate mistakes people make after a domestic assault arrest is assuming that it’s okay to respond if the alleged victim reaches out first. Unfortunately, that misunderstanding sends many people right back to jail.
Under Tennessee law, a no-contact order is a condition of your bond, and it applies regardless of who initiates the communication. The court does not care if the alleged victim called, texted, apologized, or asked to meet. The only question is whether you responded.
Even responding one time—out of dozens or hundreds of communications—can be considered a bond violation. If law enforcement or the prosecutor is notified, the consequences can be immediate and severe, including:
- Arrest for violating bond conditions
- Jail time while awaiting a hearing
- Being held without bond until a judge reviews the violation
These violations often happen quickly and unexpectedly, which is why strict compliance with a no-contact order is critical if you are facing domestic assault charges.
Can A No-Contact Order Be Lifted?
Yes, but not without taking the proper legal steps. Many people mistakenly believe that a no-contact order will simply expire at their first court date or that it can be ignored if the alleged victim wants to resume contact. That’s not how it works in Tennessee—even if both parties are in agreement and want to reconnect, the no-contact order remains legally binding until it is formally modified by the court.
To lift or change a no-contact order, your criminal defense attorney must file a motion to amend bond conditions with the court. This motion requests that the judge allow contact, often with the goal of:
- Returning to your home
- Reuniting with your spouse or partner
- Resuming contact with family members or children
In many cases, your attorney can schedule a hearing to address this issue before or during your arraignment, depending on the court’s availability. Until the judge signs off on a modification, the original no-contact order remains in full effect—and violating it, even with good intentions, can still lead to serious legal consequences.
GPS Monitoring In Tennessee Domestic Assault Cases
In 2024, Tennessee enacted a significant change to how domestic assault cases are handled at the bond stage. Under the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act, courts are now required to consider GPS monitoring as part of bond conditions in certain domestic violence cases, primarily those involving aggravated domestic assault.
What This New Law Means
- For aggravated domestic assault cases (felony-level), the law generally requires a defendant to be fitted with a GPS monitoring device as a condition of release.
- The purpose of this requirement is to provide an added layer of protection for the alleged victim. Instead of simply relying on a no-contact order, the victim may receive real-time alerts if the monitored individual comes near them.
Although this law was designed for felony aggravated domestic assault, GPS monitoring can also be imposed in misdemeanor domestic assault cases. In many instances, magistrates will ask the alleged victim during the initial bond hearing whether they want GPS protection, and judges may impose it as a condition—even when the charge is a first-time misdemeanor. This can occur before any trial or conviction, based solely on the arrest and the initial allegation.
How GPS Monitoring Works in Tennessee Domestic Assault Cases
GPS monitoring typically involves:
- A device worn by the accused—often an ankle monitor.
- A mobile app or tracking system that can notify the alleged victim or law enforcement if the defendant enters a restricted area or gets close to the victim’s location.
- A potential requirement that the defendant pay for the monitoring as part of the release conditions.
While this may be well-intentioned, it often places a heavy burden on defendants—restricting movement, adding financial costs, and impacting employment or family life.
While GPS monitoring is now more common, it can still be challenged or modified in court—especially if there’s little evidence you pose a danger to the victim or the community. In the next section, we’ll explore how bond conditions like this are reviewed and how your attorney can advocate for the least restrictive conditions under the law.
How To Remove A GPS Monitor Or Modify Bond Conditions
If you’ve been ordered to wear a GPS monitor after a domestic assault arrest, you’re not without options. Whether you’re facing felony or misdemeanor charges, your attorney can take steps to challenge the GPS requirement and other overly burdensome bond conditions.
Filing a Motion to Modify Bond Conditions
The first step is for your attorney to file a motion to amend bond conditions—specifically requesting the court to remove or reduce certain restrictions, such as GPS monitoring or strict no-contact provisions.
This motion can be filed before or after arraignment, depending on the circumstances of your case. In some situations, it’s possible to request a hearing on short notice if the bond conditions are especially disruptive (e.g., preventing you from returning home or maintaining employment).
The Legal Standard: Least Restrictive Conditions
Tennessee law requires courts to impose only the least restrictive conditions necessary to:
- Protect the alleged victim
- Ensure the defendant appears in court
- Maintain public safety
When deciding whether a bond condition is appropriate, judges must consider several factors, including:
- The nature and severity of the charge
- The defendant’s criminal history, if any
- Whether there is an ongoing risk to the alleged victim or the public
- The financial and practical burden the condition places on the accused
This standard means bond conditions should not be more burdensome than necessary, especially when there is no evidence of an ongoing threat. If your attorney can show that GPS monitoring or other conditions go beyond what the law requires, the court may agree to remove the GPS device, modify or lift a no-contact order, or allow for more reasonable terms of release.
Take Control Of Your Case With Barnes & Fersten
If you are facing a domestic assault charge in Tennessee, the decisions you make early in your case can have lasting consequences. No-contact orders and GPS monitoring are serious bond conditions that should not be ignored or handled on your own. Violating these conditions, even unintentionally, can result in immediate jail time and make your case significantly harder to defend.
At Barnes & Fersten, we help our clients protect their rights and maintain their livelihood from the very beginning of their case. We know how disruptive no-contact orders and GPS monitoring can be, and we work quickly to help clients regain stability while their case is pending. If you are facing domestic assault charges in East Tennessee, call our law firm today at 865-234-3409 or fill out our contact form for a free, confidential consultation. The sooner you speak with an experienced attorney, the more options you may have to protect both your freedom and your future.
