Criminal Defense Law

One of the biggest reasons for searching out alternatives to incarceration, especially in Tennessee, is that our prisons and jails are full to bursting with inmates, including new and repeat offenders. When looking into why this is, and why jail time doesn’t seem to be dissuading or rehabbing offenders as jail is meant to do…

A number of news sources and think tanks have been raising the alarm regarding violent crime in America. You only have to turn on the news to see men and women – brows furrowed, mouths drawn tight – bemoaning the increase in crime across the country. To some extent, they are correct; the Brennan Center…

Court-ordered community service is becoming an increasingly more popular form of alternative sentencing for judges, and it is no exception for courts in the Franklin area, either. Sometimes jail time is not in the best interest of the offender, especially if they are younger, the charge was a misdemeanor, and they have little or no…

Financial crimes are non-violent and often happen to good people who make mistakes. They are also known as white-collar crimes. (The term “white-collar” comes from perpetrators of these crimes working in offices and wearing shirts with a collar.) Prosecuting these crimes is different from other criminal defense cases. A Franklin criminal defense lawyer from the…

A new state law has expanded asset forfeiture for certain felony crimes such as kidnapping, murder, and rape. HB2271 went into effect on July 1, 2022, and is one of the first of its kind in the country. WKRN reports that the law “has expanded criminal asset forfeiture for 12 statutes.” Representative Brandon Ogles, who…

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word enhance as “to increase or improve in value, quality, or attractiveness.” There are many things that many of us would like to enhance: beauty, health, intelligence, or quality of life. However, one thing many of us would not like enhanced are criminal offenses. When you have been accused of committing…

There are unfortunate times in your life when you need to defend yourself or your family. However, self-defense claims are not as easy to prove as you may think. Authorities and the court can use your claim of self-defense against you by saying you admit to harming another individual. They will quickly be able to…

The Bonnaroo Festival, held in Manchester, Tennessee returns after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The festival is scheduled from June 16 through June 19 and is expected to draw close to 100,000 people from all over the United States. As you plan your trip to Manchester, it’s important to note what is and…

Fake heiress Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, made a name for herself as a Manhattan socialite, scamming friends, associates, banks, and hotels during her time in New York until her arrest in 2017. With a New Yorker article and a Netflix series detailing her crime spree and resulting legal woes, the country became…

Earlier this month, Lebanon police officers made an arrest that theoretically took drugs and other paraphernalia off of Tennessee streets. However, the way in which they went about this is a highly debated topic. They used controversial surveillance technology to make a stop and arrested a 22-year-old. The technology they used is license-plate-recognition software that…

When a juvenile is charged with a crime in Tennessee, the court has the power to decide whether they will be tried for their crime in juvenile or adult court. The state bases their decision on a variety of factors, and can grant a waiver transferring a juvenile’s case over to adult criminal court. These…

Earlier this month, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at the home of Chris Appleby, a 33-year-old Amish man in Lawrence, Tennessee. According to various news sources, there were enough complaints lodged by neighbors to justify the warrant. It appears that justification was right. During their search, law enforcement officials discovered about…

While true crime has always been an obsession for Americans, there has been an increase in true crime influencers and online media in general. Netflix documentaries like Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer and American Murder: The Family Next Door give an interesting glimpse into how social media played a significant role in…

A pardon is a government decision that exempts someone from being punished for a crime. While the President (federal) or governor (state) has the right to pardon someone, the decision to pardon rests solely in the executive’s discretion. Once the decision is made to pardon someone or not, it is final and is not subject…

Experienced criminal defense lawyers work aggressively to obtain dismissals of criminal charges and to suppress evidence that was illegally obtained or is improper. They should always be ready to try your case in court before a jury. Many times, though, lawyers work with the prosecutor to arrange a plea bargain. A plea bargain essentially means…

After an arrest for any criminal charge, a defendant is entitled to a bail hearing. Defendants who can obtain bail are released from prison. Defendants who are not approved for bail or can’t meet the bail requirements will stay in jail until their case can be heard. Experienced defense lawyers fight to have their clients…

In a blow against law enforcement overreach, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) held that there are Fourth Amendment limits on chasing fleeing suspects who enter their homes. The decision of the court was unanimous, and the decision of California’s First District Court of Appeals was vacated. The case was remanded back to…

If you have played a video game in the last 20 years, then you’re probably familiar with Grand Theft Auto. It has been through multiple iterations and offers a number of expansion packs, and can be played on multiple devices – a dream come true for anyone who secretly dreams of working their way up…