Criminal Defense Law

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…

Parole and probation are similar in some ways, different in others. Both terms apply to anyone convicted of a crime. Both terms require that the person convicted comply with all related conditions. Noncompliance with parole or probation conditions can mean that the convicted person will be confined in a jail or prison. Tennessee generally defines…

The Bonnaroo festival is around the corner. In just a few weeks, tens of thousands of tourists will join local Manchester, Tennessee residents in several days of great music and fun. The festival is a place where all visitors can relax and enjoy having a good time. For some visitors, though, the festival can become…

The Tennessean reported on April 30, 2019, that federal and state law enforcement agencies arrested a Brentwood woman as a result of a sting operation. The arrest involved allegations of “trafficking juveniles for the purpose of illicit sex.” The report was based on a press release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The sting was…

This year’s Bonnaroo music festival is fast-approaching. The national event will run from June 13 to June 16, 2019. The four-day event takes place on the Great Stage Park (a 650-acre farm) in Manchester, Tennessee. The festival attracts a broad range of musical styles including classic rock, indie rock, folk, bluegrass, country, gospel, pop, jazz,…

In a unanimous Supreme Court opinion, the nine Justices ruled in February 2019 that the US Constitution’s Eighth Amendment ban on excessive fines applied to the 50 states. The case before the Court was on appeal from the Indiana Supreme Court which has ruled that the government could seize a defendant’s $40,000 Land Rover even…

The Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee is a wonderful experience for thousands and thousands of music lovers each June. The festival draws people from across the county. While many attendees love the performances, there are hundreds of people each year who are charged with crossing the line. These few hundred people are charged with selling…

As you know, Bonnaroo is a popular music festival. It’s also a “popular” place for local police to make a lot of arrests. But what happens if you’re arrested for one crime, but then charged with multiple crimes. Can the cops even do that? Yes, they can. It happens more often than you think. More…

Going out for a night on the town can end badly for you and your friends if you’ve had too much to drink. But what if you haven’t had “too much” to drink? Is it possible to get a DUI if you are under the legal limit? The short answer is, yes – you can…

Festivals like Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music Festival are a wonderful time for people of all age. They help to bring communities together, to listen to old favorites and to new performers across a wide spectrum of music styles. While these festivals can be a lot of fun, those in attendance should be aware that crimes do…

Any arrest is frightening. The police immediately take control of your life. It helps if you understand the process so that you know what to expect and so that you can make reasonable decisions. After you’re arrested or placed in custody, the arresting police officer has a duty to warn you of your Miranda rights.…

Tennessee has adopted the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) which sets the minimum standards sex offender must meet for registration and notification. For most convicted sex offenders, the requirement to register as a sex offender is horrific. The registration can be searched by the public. Registration brands defendants, often for life. Registration…

Defendants who are charged with most crimes have a right to a preliminary hearing. This hearing takes place after the defendant has been arraigned (entered a plea) and after bail has been set. There are some procedural differences between federal and state preliminary hearings, but the basic strategies criminal defense lawyers use are the same…

Defendants can be charged with identity theft crimes by the state or by the federal government. Generally, identity theft consists of using someone’s personal identifying information to obtain such financial gain. Common examples include using the information of someone else to gain access to credit cards, bank accounts, and retirement contacts. It also includes using…

The Orlando Sentinel reported that a Florida man has come up with a new excuse for driving while intoxicated – it wasn’t really him driving, it was his dog. Alas, the excuse didn’t pan out and the driver now finds himself in the proverbial doghouse. The man was arrested and charged with driving under the…

Criminal asset seizure is a law enforcement tool that allows the government to take the property that is owned by those accused of committing crimes. Criminal asset seizure or forfeiture is usually conducted related to the possession of narcotics. Law enforcement can seize money, vehicles, home or other property related to the commission of a…

The Tennessean reported on July 3, 2018, that federal judge Aleta Trauger ruled that it was unconstitutional for Tennessee to revoke a driver’s license just because he/she couldn’t afford to pay the court costs. The decision, according to a lawyer for the National Center for Law and Economic Justice in New York City, could have…

When a person has been convicted of a DUI and their license has been suspended for one year, it can cause a lot of chaos in their life. Depending on the nature of the incident, they may be able to obtain a restricted license, but a restricted license does not allow a person to go…

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will take place June 7-10 in Manchester, Tennessee. The four-day musical festival attracts local residents and visitors from across the country. The music normally starts around noon and can last until the early morning hours. A broad variety of music styles can be heard including bluegrass, rock, jazz, gospel,…

The week of Bonnaroo is an exciting and indescribable time in Manchester, Tennessee. The area is flooded with locals, musicians, artists, and out-of-towners all looking to enjoy themselves at our famous annual music festival. And, as happens with a festival of this size, the area will also be flooded with law enforcement. Many agencies in…