Criminal Defense Law

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…

In a story that reminds readers of an old Seinfeld episode*, a Texas woman now has to fight felony charges due to the failure to return a VHS tape. The woman doesn’t remember the tape nor the failure to return it. Adding to her nightmare is that the company she rented the tape from ceased…

Aggravated assault in Tennessee is, essentially, the intentional committing of an assault that causes serious bodily injury, causes death, or involves the use of a deadly weapon. Aggravated assault can also include strangulation, the failure of a parent to protect a child from an aggravated assault, and other definitions. Aggravated assault is defined in the…

New state laws require life sentences for more criminal offenses. The enforcement of these laws through arrests, prosecutions, and convictions is causing a large increase in the Tennessee state prison population. According to a study by the Sentencing Project, a nonprofit based in Washington DC, the trend towards more lifetime incarcerations in Tennessee is just…

Who knows where certain information comes from? You hear through the grapevine over the years that one thing or another can keep you from getting arrested if you’ve committed a crime. Unfortunately, that bad game of “whisper down the lane” can very well have the opposite result because what you’ve heard is frequently wrong. Sometimes…

Mandatory mask wearing has been a controversial subject for many months around the country. Some states have issued a sweeping mandate while others, like Tennessee, have refrained leaving it to individual municipalities to decide and enforce. This can make it tricky for anyone traveling around the state to know whether they risk being arrested just…

If you are considering moving to Tennessee, or want to move to a new town within the state, now is the right time to begin your research. The SafeWise Sixth Annual Safest Cities report was released late in 2020, highlighting the top 20 safest cities and towns in Tennessee. And Franklin and Brentwood made the…

Many changes to drug laws were on the election ballot this November, with several states legalizing marijuana for medical and/or recreational use. One state, Oregon, eliminated criminal penalties for harsher drugs including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine for smaller amounts. These initiatives ended up on ballots nationwide due to concerns that there are better ways to…

Suffering a medical emergency while driving is frightening for you, the passengers in your vehicle, and all those around you on the roads. It can be nearly impossible to predict various medical emergencies, but there are some people who should not be driving based on their medical conditions. For example, those diagnosed with seizures might…

The Tin Roof 2 bar in Cool Springs, Tennessee had its doors padlocked by the Franklin Police Department a few weeks ago due to a court order. The town claims that the bar has been a nuisance to its neighbors, the town, and the Franklin Police Department, citing more than 296 incidents at the location…

Theft charges in Tennessee are serious and can result in hefty consequences for those convicted. Not only is an arrest for theft of any type of property and embarrassing situation, it is also costly in the financial and legal sense. A conviction can damage your immediate and long-term future prospects for employment and other life…

Tennessee’s legislative bodies are considering a new “red flag” law that would permit a temporary confiscation of guns from “at-risk” persons. The legislation would allow the courts in Tennessee to remove firearms on a temporary basis from relatives who are deemed to present a threat either to other people or themselves. If the legislation is…

Although self-defense laws across the country allow individuals to defend themselves from harm, these laws generally do not permit individuals to commit violence in just any given situation, and simply claim self-defense. Understanding the basics of self-defense law in Tennessee are important, both to understand how to properly use self-defense and avoid criminal charges when…

Are there things you just can’t say without risking being charged with a crime? Do the manner and amount of the verbal attacks matter in determining if a crime has been committed? Do verbal threats ever cross the legal line? As with most issues, the answer is – probably not, but it depends. As with…

The Internet offers a range of wonderful opportunities. Many of those opportunities offer windows into a range of personal interests. Unfortunately, some of those personal interests can lead the users into a nest of troubles. Social activities can lead to charges of bullying, cyberstalking, identity theft, and Internet pornography. Some people even make the mistake…

In an early news story, USA Today reported that the popular Bonnaroo festival resulted in 100 citations and four arrests on the first day. Most of the 100 citations were for “minor” drug offenses. About two in five of the citations were made while people were working their way to the festival. The 40 entry…