Criminal Defense Law
Get Your Tickets TO Bonnaroo, Not AT Bonnaroo
The lineup for Bonnaroo 2015 is going to be announced soon, and people from all over the country will be planning their visit to the 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee to enjoy the festival. Four day long concerts like Bonnaroo feature more than just music, because they celebrate the arts in general. If this…
Read MoreA New Tennessee Law Criminalizes Mothers who Abuse Drugs During Pregnancy
A Tennessee law that went into effect on July 1, 2014, would allow a woman to be charged with assault for the harm her drug use has inflicted on her child. State officials thought that this was the best course of action to stem the tide of infants born dependent on drugs. On July 8th,…
Read MoreCan You Really Be Charged with DUI When You are Not Driving Your Car?
In Tennessee, the short answer is yes. Let’s say, for example, you are riding as a passenger in your car while someone else is driving, and that person has had too much to drink. If the police pull the car over because the driver has been swerving or driving erratically, and they charge the driver…
Read MoreWhat Does “Contempt of Court” Actually Mean?
If you watch police procedurals or legal-based TV shows, you’ve probably heard a judge say “You’re out of order, Counselor” (or something along those lines) and then fine the attorney or the client for being in “contempt.” As a general rule, however, these types of shows don’t get the nuances of legal proceedings right, so…
Read MoreIn Tennessee, a DUI Requires a Motor Vehicle
In certain parts of the country, you can receive a DUI / DWI for operating any kind of vehicle – including a bicycle. In Tennessee, however, DUIs are exclusive to motorized vehicles. This includes: Riding a lawnmower Riding a motorcycle Riding a moped Driving a car or truck Riding a scooter Driving an ATV Driving…
Read MoreSimple Assault v. Aggravated Assault
When the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation put together its last report, they discovered that 57% of all crimes in Tennessee are committed against property. Theft and fraud top the list, though vandalism and arson make appearances as well. But from an individual standpoint, there were more cases of assault and aggravated assault than any other…
Read MorePenalties for Marijuana in Tennessee
So far 20 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana. Additionally, Colorado and Washington have legalized marijuana for recreational use. However, cannabis is still illegal in Tennessee and under federal law. This means that while the general attitude toward the substance has changed over the years, it is still against the law to possess,…
Read MoreWhat to Expect at Your Arraignment
The criminal court procedures can be intimidating for anyone. If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, you probably have a host of questions and concerns about how the system works and what to expect. The first court appearance you will probably face is known as an arraignment, sometimes called an “initial appearance.” This proceeding…
Read MoreFive Common Criminal Defenses
To successfully convict a criminal defendant, the government must prove the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The most common defenses criminal defendants may raise can be grouped into two general categories ― first, denying the defendant did anything (including the alibi defense), and second, acknowledging the defendant did the act but only under…
Read MoreCharged With Vehicular Homicide in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, vehicular homicide is defined as the “reckless killing of another by the operation of an automobile, airplane, boat or other motor vehicle.” This is a very serious charge, and the penalties are severe. You may be shocked to find yourself in this situation because you never thought you would be charged with a…
Read MoreThat Traffic Ticket May Be More Serious Than You Think
If you’ve been cited for a traffic violation in Tennessee, you may think it is no big deal, throw the ticket in a drawer, and forget about it. Surprisingly, traffic tickets can add up to significant consequences for numerous drivers in certain situations. In Tennessee, most traffic tickets, such as speeding tickets, are classified as…
Read MoreThe Mysterious Case of the Missing Girl Scout Cookies
A Murfreesboro Girl Scouts Regional Director recently reported a theft totaling more than $30,000 to the police. The director reported that one of the volunteers who had access to the Girl Scouts accounts allegedly has been taking money out of the account and converting it for her own personal use since February 2012. The local…
Read MoreProperty Crimes in Tennessee
If you’ve been charged with a property crime, you likely have many questions about the charges against you and the potential consequences of a conviction. There is a range of property crimes in Tennessee and the seriousness of each offense bears on the resultant penalty. It’s important to understand the charges against you to make…
Read MoreDrug Manufacturing Through the Eyes of Breaking Bad
If you watch the mega hit Breaking Bad, you know that the main characters Walter White (a former high school teacher) and his former student/sidekick punk Jesse Pinkman manufacture methamphetamine in part to pay for Walt’s cancer treatment. While they commit many, many crimes, one of the most severe crimes they could be charged with…
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