Tennessee Sex Crimes Are Serious

Sex crimes in Tennessee cover everything from simple sexting to statutory rape. An accusation of a sex crime is very damaging and, if convicted, the punishments can include prison time and the requirement to register as a sex offender. Most sex crimes require that you have the requisite mental element or intent to commit the…

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Charged 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…

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What To Do In A Roadside Emergency

With the Fourth of July holiday fast approaching, more cars will be on the road than ever. Heavy travel time, unfortunately, means that more accidents will likely occur. One of the biggest dangers comes from unpredictable stops on a highway. Roadside emergencies can result from a flat tire, running out of gas, or a mechanical…

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Paternity in Tennessee

Establishing paternity, or identifying the legal father of a child, is very important to all parties involved: the child, the father, and the mother. It can give rights and benefits to all of them. From the father’s point of view, establishing paternity allows him to participate in his child’s life and obtain visitation or custody…

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Buying The House Before The Ring

You may have heard the old adage: first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Mary with a baby carriage. And, after marriage, comes the house — that’s the order everyone is used to. According to a recent study by Coldwell Banker, the order of old has been upended. Many couples in serious relationships now…

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That 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…

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The 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…

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Toughing Out the Transition During and After Divorce

While the legal process involved in a divorce can be lengthy and stressful, the effects of divorce away from the settlement table can be even worse. After filing for divorce, you may mourn the loss of a spouse and companion as you struggle to adapt to a new lifestyle. After the final divorce decree is…

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Property 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…

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Keep Calm and Remain Silent if You Are Arrested

If you are arrested, it is important to avoid panicking and to think clearly to make sure your rights are secured. The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to refuse to discuss allegations with police. Although you may feel that you can talk your way out of your situation, it is always prudent to request…

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Knowing Your Options: Legal Separation vs. Divorce

In Tennessee, couples have two options: divorce or legal separation. Which option is best? The decision between divorce and legal separation depends on your personal situation. In a divorce, all marital rights are terminated. A divorce is only declared on grounds or irreconcilable differences (known as no-fault divorce). There are many grounds available including: Abandonment…

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When It’s Right to Fight Back — Self-Defense

When threatened with serious bodily injury or death in your own home, you have the right to protect yourself. But what rights do you have to defend yourself outside of your home? Do you have the right to act in self-defense, or are you required to retreat from confrontation in a public place? Tennessee’s Stand…

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If You’re a Victim of Domestic Violence

There is help for you Domestic violence is unfortunately too common an occurrence. If you are a victim of this crime, there is help available for you. First, domestic violence in Tennessee is defined as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly committing one of the following against a family or household member: Causing bodily injury to the…

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Give Me My Property Back Please

You may be aware of the existence of police evidence rooms only from television shows. Who can forget the magnet scene in Breaking Bad that wiped all of the computers in the evidence room clean? While many items are stored in evidence rooms, it’s unfortunate that police departments don’t follow the same policies as libraries.…

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Planning for a Special Needs Child

Twenty million American families face the struggle of raising a child with special needs and the number continues to rise. It costs an estimated $3.2 million to take care of a child with certain disabilities such as autism over a lifetime. Parents are often overwhelmed and put off planning for the child’s financial future because…

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Drug 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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What Rights Do Fathers Have in Tennessee?

As a father, you have a right to remain in the life of your child. Numerous laws exist to protect the rights of fathers in Tennessee, as in many other states. These rights spring into existence in Tennessee when a child is born and can only be taken away from a father by a court…

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