Criminal Defense Law

You are driving along late at night and suddenly you see the dreaded flashing blue lights in your rear-view mirror and then the quick chirp of the siren signaling you to pull over. Your mind begins to race as you wonder why you are being stopped. And then you realize that you just passed through…

Most Americans are familiar with their right to protection against unreasonable search and seizure if not from high school civics class, then at least from a good TV crime drama. Let’s say you find yourself in the position of being pulled over by a police officer when you are driving on I-65 in Franklin on…

On the Second Thursday in June every summer since 2002, Bonnaroo has transformed the village of Manchester, Tennessee into a massive music festival teeming with thousands of enthusiastic people both young and old who come for the diverse line-up. This year, the festival will run from June 8-11, 2017. Whether you are into classic rock,…

In January, the FBI releases its, Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, which this year reveals an increase in the number of violent crimes reported and a decrease in the number of property crimes reported in the first six months of 2016 when compared with the first six months of 2015. The data used in the…

Probation is a type of sentencing that allows those who have been convicted of a crime to receive a somewhat lenient penalty, or it can be used as one part of a jail sentence for more serious crimes. Probation is sometimes given to first-time offenders, or those who have committed non-violent crimes. In some cases,…

Wearable fitness tracking devices such as smart watches and devices that clip to the wearer’s clothing has become one of the hottest fitness trends. People believe that these devices can help promote a healthy lifestyle, and they are willing to give up their privacy in exchange for the ability to keep track of their steps,…

In July 2016, the Public Safety Act of 2016 went into effect as a part of the state’s effort to reduce crime and improve public safety. One of the major changes brought about by the new law is in the way violations of parole will be addressed. Of the 12,588 people who entered the state…

Clown sightings are being reported in several places from the mid-Atlantic to the Southern United States. People are getting “creeped out” about it, and local police do not find it funny. Antioch and Glencliff high schools were placed in lock down in September after a reported clown threat. Four people were cited in Portland after…

If you have been accused of a misdemeanor criminal offense in Tennessee, the law enforcement officer has the latitude to issue you a citation in lieu of arrest, rather than hauling you off to jail. Do not make the mistake of thinking that it is not a big deal because you did not get arrested.…

You made a mistake and you have learned your lesson. The thought of going to jail and having a criminal record is going to ruin all of the dreams and plans that you have for your life. You know that you made an error in judgement, and now you wish there was a way that…

You are driving along I-65 late on a Friday evening. You might have had a beer or two while you watched the game, but you are by no means drunk, or so you believe. The next thing you know, you see those flashing blue lights and hear the chirp of a police cruiser pulling you…

Domestic violence is a serious issue in Tennessee with significant consequences. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 43 Tennesseans were murdered by intimate partners in 2014. Firearms were involved in 75 percent of these homicides. Tennessee law enforcement received 74,023 reports of domestic violence crimes, but many also went unreported. There were…

Tennessee has a lot of colleges, trade schools and universities. That means we have a lot of college “kids” running around the state at any given time of the year. Now, we say “kids” because most of these students are at least 18 years of age, which makes them adults in the eyes of the…

The 15th Annual Bonnaroo music festival is a mere days away. Last year’s festival saw more than 80,000 attendees on the 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, and we can expect at least that many this year, as Bonnaroo continues to expand. You might see a few changes this year, too – like permanent bathrooms, a…

Most people understand that the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects us from having to submit to unreasonable search and seizure, but there is considerable confusion about the details. A police officer can stop you and ask you questions, but he or she is not permitted to search you unless they have probable cause…