Diligent Franklin, Brentwood & Columbia, TN Criminal Defense Attorneys Preserve Your Freedom

Our criminal defense lawyers fight to defend your rights

When you have been charged with a criminal offense, be it a drug crime, DUI or violent crime, you need help fast. If convicted, you could face fines, imprisonment, and perhaps worse, depending on the crime and the verdict.

At a time like this, you need the help of a tough criminal defense lawyer who has the experience in Tennessee courts to anticipate the prosecution and the diligence to gather the proper evidence to present a compelling case in your favor. The Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates handle criminal defense matters for clients throughout Tennessee. With law offices in Franklin, Brentwood and Columbia, TN, we are close by when you need us.

Criminal defense services you can trust

Our firm handles all manner of cases in criminal courts throughout Tennessee. While we have the resources and skills to assist you with whatever you need, we have built a reputation over the last 26 years for aggressive, effective defense against charges such as:

• DUI. Drunk driving charges are serious, and can have lasting effects on your life. Tennessee has some of the most draconian DUI laws on the books, and a conviction can cost you thousands of dollars in fines and your driving privileges, which in turn can cost you your job or even your place to live. If you are pulled over for DUI, you have rights. Our DUI defense lawyers can help protect them.
• Traffic violations. While most traffic violations are considered misdemeanors, it is possible to be charged with a felony for certain types of violations. The fines and penalties of traffic violations can really add up. If you have been charged with speeding, reckless driving, or any number of traffic crimes, contact us to find out how we can help.
• Drug related crimes. The crack down on drug charges like possession, dealing and trafficking has increased exponentially over the last decade. Many drug charges are federal crimes, which means stricter penalties and an inexpungible record, if you are convicted. If you are charged with a drug crime of any kind, contact one of our Franklin drug defense attorneys right away. We work with both residents of Tennessee and out-of-state visitors who have been arrested while on vacation, or while attending events like Bonnaroo.
• Misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanor crimes are considered less serious than felonies, but they can still affect your life in a permanent way. A felony conviction, however, is almost guaranteed to make your life more difficult. We offer you practical guidance in facing the challenges of a felony or misdemeanor charge, and fight for your rights in all cases.
• Sex crimes. There are few charges more serious than those involving accusations of a sex crime. With the possible exception of murder, no other types of charges can ruin your life more easily with just the accusation of wrongdoing. We provide skilled, aggressive defense strategies for a variety of sex crime charges, because we understand what is at stake.
• Juvenile matters. We know that it’s easy for young people to be swayed into situations they never wanted to be in, and to make mistakes that don’t seem like such a “big deal” at the time. We also know that a juvenile conviction can follow your child around for years. We work with families to help protect minors from a lifetime of trouble.
• Theft, Larceny & Embezzlement. Theft charges run the gamut from misdemeanor to felony, depending on the value of what was stolen. Embezzlement, however, is always a federal crime, and a conviction is guaranteed to land you in federal prison. If you have been charged with any kind of theft or fraud, you should seek legal counsel right away.
• Vehicular homicide. In Tennessee, there are three types of criminal charges involving a motor vehicle; vehicular homicide is the most serious. A conviction can mean up to 30 years in jail – unless you are convicted of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in which case you could face up to 60 years in prison.

All criminal charges are serious. If you stand accused of a crime of any kind, a Franklin criminal defense attorney from our firm can help.

What are the steps in the criminal process?

The more you know, the more you are in a position to help yourself. Here is a brief look at the steps you can expect from the legal process when charged with a criminal offense:

1. Stop. The police may stop you for questioning. You have the right to refuse to answer.
2. Search. If probable cause exists, a judge can issue a search warrant to look for items connected with the alleged criminal activity. Warrants are not necessary for all searches.
3. Arrest. To be arrested, there must be probable cause that a crime was a committed and that you committed it. You have two important constitutional rights: the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
4. Booking. Following your arrest, the police escort you to the police station for the booking process, where you are fingerprinted, interrogated, searched, and photographed.
5. Appointment of a criminal law attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney and you have been charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment or a fine, the court may appoint an attorney to defend you.
6. Arraignment. You appear in court once criminal charges are filed and you will be asked to enter your plea to the crime with which you have been charged. If you plead guilty, you will be sentenced without trial.
7. Bail/bond. Often, you must provide cash, a bail bond, or court-depending, a pledge of property to ensure you appear for further criminal proceedings.
8. Speedy trial. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial — that is, a trial will be held within a certain time frame after you have been charged.
9. Trial. If you do not reach a plea agreement with the prosecutor (many prosecutors will consider one), your case moves to trial. Depending on the charges, you may have the right to a trial by jury.
10. Appeals. In the event you are found guilty, you have the right to an appeal, usually ten days after judgment.
11. Expungement. In some circumstances, you may be able to have your criminal record removed, or in the case of juvenile records, destroyed.

Criminal defense law firm with offices in Franklin, Brentwood and Columbia, TN

If you don’t know what to look for in an attorney, we have created a few checkpoints you need to double check to in order to choose them correctly.

Our guide to finding the right criminal defense lawyer will help provide you with a small checklist of things to mention and research on when choosing your lawyer.

Make sure you know what to provide your criminal defense attorney before going into their office and remember that everything you say to your lawyer is held in confidence because of client-lawyer privilege.

Contact our criminal defense law firm in Franklin, Brentwood or Columbia Tennessee

The Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates will work hard to protect your rights in criminal defense cases like DUI arrests. We will do everything possible to aggressively pursue justice on your behalf. Call us today at 615-977-9370 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free initial consultation. We are proud to represent people in Brentwood, Columbia, Franklin, Spring Hill Lawrenceburg, Pulaski and Murfreesboro, and throughout Tennessee.