Man Charged with Assault for Punching Coach
Any parent knows that few things get the blood pumping like the sporting events of one’s children. Many a dispute takes place every year between parents or between a parent and a coach over issues such as kids being too rough, lack of playing time, etc. Unfortunately such disputes often turn physical and one or more of the adults makes a poor decision and ends up facing criminal charges. Such is the case with 43-year-old John Paul Gomoljack who was reportedly arrested on Tuesday for allegedly pushing and striking Heritage Middle School coach Lee Nachand in a dispute over his son’s playing time. At the time of the arrest, Gomoljack was apparently booked under the wrong name and did not notify authorities that the name was incorrect, according to this article. He has been charged with assault.
One unfortunate fact about life is that good people often make bad decisions, especially when situations become heated or when the cause of the controversy is something about which an individual is passionate. As shown in the situation above, such decisions often lead to criminal charges and the possibility of jail time. In this case, the defendant seems to have been charged with simple assault which is a Class A or B misdemeanor depending on the circumstances. Thus, he will be facing the possibility of six months to almost a year in prison. The good news for the defendant and similarly situated Tennesseans, however, is that Tennessee law recognizes that good people can make mistakes and allows for processes such as pretrial diversion, judicial deferral, and other alternative sentences that allow a qualified defendant to avoid jail time if he or she is convicted or pleads guilty. Tennesseans who wish to explore such options should contact an experienced Knoxville criminal defense attorney who can assist them throughout the trial and sentencing process.
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