Posted on July 12, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Exactly what will happen if you get arrested while enrolled in college depends on a few things. The most important factor is usually what the charges are. Colleges, including the University of Tennessee, are quite used to seeing students get arrested for minor alcohol-related offenses, like public intoxication and underage drinking. If you are arrested for a more serious crime while going to school, the situation could be quite different, especially if your crime involved a victim who is also a student at your university. College students who are arrested need a Knoxville, TN criminal defense attorney who is experienced in working with students who have a lot to lose.

Alcohol and Drug Offenses 

Crimes involving alcohol or marijuana are two of the most common reasons college students are arrested. A few alcohol and drug-related offenses college students are often charged with include:

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 Posted on June 27, 2024 in Criminal Defense

The weight of a false domestic violence allegation can feel like an anchor dragging you down deeper and deeper into a pit of despair. In Tennessee, proving such claims to be false requires a strategic approach and a commitment to gathering as much compelling evidence as possible. If someone has falsely accused you of domestic abuse and, as a result, you are now facing criminal charges, a dedicated attorney is here and ready to help you.

Understanding How to Pick Apart Fabricated Domestic Violence Claims

When faced with domestic violence allegations, the key to proving the allegations are false begins with collecting evidence that supports your claims. In many cases, documentation plays an important role in revealing the inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the accuser’s claims. This can include gathering statements from witnesses, text messages, emails, and any other relevant communication that contradicts the alleged abuse.

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 Posted on June 13, 2024 in Drug Crimes

Tennessee is home to numerous national historic sites and national parks. Exploring the parts of the Appalachian Trail that run through Tennessee or the Great Smoky Mountains can be a wonderful way to relax and connect with nature. Some people find that using cannabis enhances their experience in the great outdoors. However, anyone caught in possession of marijuana or any other federally illegal substance while in a national park can be arrested and charged with a federal crime. Being prosecuted at the federal level is an extremely serious matter. If you have been charged with cannabis possession while visiting a national park, monument, or historical site, you need an experienced Knoxville, TN federal crimes lawyer to advocate for you.

What if I Have a Medical Card in Tennessee? 

People who have a prescription can possess and use low-THC, high-CBD products in the state of Tennessee. However, as soon as you enter a national park or other national property, you are no longer within Tennessee’s jurisdiction. Instead, you have crossed into federal property, where federal laws apply. Federal laws do not permit anyone to have THC-containing cannabis products regardless of whether or not they have a medical license.

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 Posted on May 24, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Some crimes seem more subjective than others. For example, say you are accused of stealing a car from a parking lot. The way you feel about the car’s owner and the way the car owner feels about you do not matter. If someone else owns a car and you break into the car and take it without their permission, it is a pretty clear-cut case of car theft.

 Other crimes are less objectively proven than that. For example, you might express your interest in friends you care about in a more intensive way than other people typically do. One friend might like all the attention you give them and how interested you are in their life, but another might be uncomfortable with it and could end up accusing you of stalking. The consequences of a stalking charge can be severe and affect you for the rest of your life. If you are worried someone might accuse you of stalking, speak with a skilled Tennessee criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights and build a strong defense.

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 Posted on May 08, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Getting arrested can be a terrible experience. You might be nervous, confused, afraid, or angry as you are handcuffed and taken away against your will. In such situations of uncertainty, it is understandable to feel that you are losing control over your actions. This stressful situation means you might act out, raise your voice, or resist the arrest without meaning to, and that might make the officers arresting you use force to get the situation under control. This article will offer some tips on how to act during an arrest. If this happens to you, make sure to contact a skilled Knoxville, TN criminal defense attorney who can offer you guidance as you navigate your arrest.

What Not to Do During an Arrest

There are some things that people might do when they get arrested that can make matters much worse for them during the arrest. Try to keep this in mind if you are arrested so you can avoid making mistakes you might regret:

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 Posted on April 18, 2024 in Drug Crimes

No matter what amount of marijuana you have in your possession, it is illegal in the state of Tennessee. If you are found in possession of marijuana, you can expect severe penalties.

The University of Tennessee strives to keep its students healthy. It is reported that 48% of students at the University of Tennessee have never used cannabis, and the University of Tennessee has a strict policy against marijuana use.

If you are a student of UT and have been found in possession of marijuana, you need to speak with our Knoxville drug possession defense attorney as soon as possible.

Tennessee Laws on Marijuana Possession

Tennessee Code §39-17-418 prohibits an individual from knowingly possessing or exchanging a controlled substance. A person who has even half an ounce (14.175 grams) of marijuana can be charged with drug possession.

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 Posted on April 04, 2024 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Tennessee, accompanied by license suspension, fines, and even jail time. If you drive in Tennessee, you automatically submit to blood alcohol testing. Refusal to test can result in license revocation.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Tennessee, our Knoxville DUI defense lawyer can offer you the aggressive representation you need.

When Can a Person Be Charged with a DUI in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee law, a motorist is considered to be driving impaired if under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any narcotic substance. A person is considered impaired if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% g/dL or higher. 

Signs of Impairment

A police officer can only pull someone over if the officer has reason to believe that the driver is intoxicated. To justify doing so, the driver must be showing signs of impairment, which may encompass any of the following:

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 Posted on March 23, 2024 in Criminal Defense

It is estimated that 98% of criminal cases never reach trial, instead they are resolved through plea bargains. A viable option in some cases, a plea bargain allows you to avoid the cost and expense of trial. With the promise of a more lenient sentence, many defendants agree to this option.

If you are facing criminal allegations, it can be difficult to know how to plead. An experienced Knoxville criminal defense attorney will know what pleas are available to you to afford you the best possible outcome in your case.

What You Should Know About Pleading Guilty

Understanding the legal system is important in deciding if you should plead guilty to a crime. Here are some things you should be aware of in making your decision:

You Waive Your Right to Trial 

In criminal trials, a prosecutor must establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The trier of fact, a judge or jury, must reach the conclusion that there is no other reasonable explanation for the evidence presented except that you committed the crime.

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 Posted on March 08, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Whether you have caused someone physical harm or threatened to harm another person, you could be facing prison time and steep fines. An assault conviction will result in a criminal record, which will follow you for the rest of your life.

No matter the circumstances, one thing remains constant: if you are charged with assault, you need to seek counsel from a Knoxville assault criminal defense attorney. In this article, we will discuss the various situations in which assault charges may arise.

Domestic Assault

Domestic assault is often marked by an abusive pattern of behavior. This type of assault charge is generally against a person that you are related to (blood or adoption) or a member of your household. Even if you did not touch the person but threatened harm, you could be charged with domestic assault. A person could be convicted of assault just by causing a victim to think that they were going to cause them some type of bodily harm.

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 Posted on February 22, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Tennessee Code §39-13-503 defines rape as the “unlawful sexual penetration of a victim.” If you have been charged with rape, the social stigma that follows you can be paralyzing. Not only impacting your personal life, a rape conviction can result in significant prison time and hefty fines.

Our Knoxville sex crimes defense lawyer would like to discuss rape charges stemming from date rape situations and the potential penalties you may be facing if convicted.

What is Date Rape?

Date rape occurs when there is sexual intercourse between two people who meet in a social setting, but the victim does not give their consent. It is common for the non-consenting individual to be drugged prior to intercourse.

To constitute rape, there must be sexual penetration. Sexual penetration is the intrusion of a person’s body or object into the genital or anal openings, not necessarily involving ejaculation.

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