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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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Asset Forfeiture

Finding a job with a criminal record may be more challenging than you would think. It is usually more difficult for employees who have had any past criminal activity to find well-paying positions.

With jobs that have licensing requirements, the licensing board may deny your application if they see you have a criminal history. Even if your position does not require licensing, you may run into problems when your employer conducts a background check as part of your application.

If you have been denied a professional license or a job due to past crimes, do not hesitate to contact our Knoxville criminal defense attorney.

Background Checks

When you apply for any job, you will fill out an application. Part of the application process is giving your employer permission to conduct a background check.

In performing a background check, anyone can see your past employment history, credit history, driving record, and if you have had any arrests, charges, convictions, incarceration, and arrest warrants. Background checks are also used for other purposes, including by landlords regarding potential tenants.

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 Posted on January 21, 2024 in DUI/DWI/BUI

As parents, we hope that our children will make informed decisions. That includes following the law.

Many people know that the legal blood alcohol content limit for adult motorists is 0.08%, but you may not realize that the legal limit is lower for underage motorists, being at just 0.02%.

A Tennessee defense lawyer can explain the penalties for underage drinking and the rules established by the University of Tennessee for minors who possess or consume alcohol.

Underage Alcohol Possession

Tennessee law details the penalties for minors in possession of alcohol:

• First offense: License suspension for one year, or until the person turns 17 years old (whichever is longer)
• After 90 days, the individual may apply to the court for early withdrawal or suspension
• Second offense: License suspension for two years, or until the person turns 18 years old (whichever is longer)

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 Posted on January 10, 2024 in Drug Crimes

Tennessee criminalizes the possession or the casual exchange of a controlled substance. “Casual exchange” is defined as the passing of an illegal drug between two parties, whether or not money is exchanged in the process

Marijuana possession falls under this law as well unless it was prescribed by a physician. Even if you have just half an ounce of marijuana, you will most likely be fined and possibly incarcerated.

If you have been charged with drug possession, do not hesitate to contact our Knoxville drug possession defense attorneys immediately

Penalties for Drug Possession 

TN Code § 39-17-417 makes it illegal for a defendant to knowingly perform any of the following:

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 Posted on January 10, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Spending the day in a national park can be a rejuvenating and peaceful experience. However, some people do not respect the rules of the park or might face wrongful accusations of violating the law. Be aware that if you are arrested in a national park, you will be subject to federal laws

 If you have been arrested in a federal park, you need reliable representation that can only be found in a Knoxville federal criminal charges defense attorney.

Federal Laws in National Parks

The national park system is overseen by the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Army. Any of these federal departments can charge you if you break a federal law

Title 36 of the Federal Code of Regulations details the regulations that have been developed to protect national parks. These laws regulate the protection of natural resources, public use, recreational activities, and even specify special regulations for certain parks.

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 Posted on January 10, 2024 in DUI/DWI/BUI

With the holidays upon us, law enforcement agencies throughout Tennessee are gearing up for increased DUI enforcement. The reality is that people tend to drink more during the holidays, which tends to result in more impaired drivers on the road, and enforcement is meant to keep our roads safe

A Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we recognize that everyone accused of drunk driving is entitled to a defense. If you are arrested for DUI this holiday season, you should contact a Knoxville DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys know how to defend against DUI charges and are committed to bringing every case to the best resolution possible.

Why do People Drink More around the Holidays?

For many people, the holidays are a time to celebrate, visit family and friends, and go to office parties - all of which often involve alcohol. Additionally, the stress of the holidays and simply taking time off work often leads people to drink more alcohol. Whatever the reason, increased alcohol consumption can lead to risky behaviors like getting behind the wheel while impaired. The best way to avoid a DUI arrest is to take steps to ensure that you do not drive after drinking. Some of the ways you can avoid drinking and driving this holiday season include:

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 Posted on January 07, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Sex crime charges can change your life. The consequences of a sex crime conviction can be severe, including imprisonment and the requirement to register as a sex offender

Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney provides defense representation to individuals charged with sex crimes in Knoxville, TN. If you find yourself in this difficult situation, it is important to seek professional help and understand the laws surrounding sex offender registration. Contact our Knoxville criminal defense attorney today.

Sex Crimes that Require Registration

In the state of Tennessee, individuals who have been convicted of certain sex crimes are required to register as sex offenders. These crimes include, but are not limited to, rape, sexual battery, aggravated sexual battery, sexual exploitation of a minor, and aggravated rape. The severity of the offense will determine the duration and frequency of registration.

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 Posted on November 09, 2023 in DUI/DWI/BUI

A DUI conviction can carry serious penalties, and Tennessee is no exception. The legal ramifications of a DUI conviction will depend on prior offenses, your blood alcohol level, and your willingness to take a blood alcohol test.

Many people are not aware that you may face jail time if you are convicted of a DUI. To avoid having your civil liberties taken away, you need legal guidance from an experienced Knoxville DUI defense lawyer. 

Penalties for a First DUI Offense

In Tennessee, if you are convicted of a first-time DUI and are at least 21 years old, you can face the following penalties:

• To spend at least 48 hours in jail
• If you were driving under the influence and you had an accident that resulted in death or injury to another person, you can expect to spend up to 11 months and 29 days in prison.

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 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Criminal Defense

More than 36,000 young students attend the University of Tennessee in recent years with many educational and professional aspirations. Unfortunately, some college students make errors in judgment and might find themselves in trouble with the law, such as with a DUI arrest. Not only is a criminal matter stressful, but it can also derail the goals of U. of Tennessee students. 

If you or your child were arrested, seek immediate representation from a Knoxville criminal defense lawyer.   

Potential Effects of a Conviction

In addition to court-ordered sentences of fines and imprisonment, criminal convictions can have far-reaching consequences for college students, impacting both their academic and personal lives. Below are some of the serious repercussions that students may face.

• Academic consequences: Many colleges and universities have strict conduct policies. A criminal conviction may violate these policies, leading to academic penalties, including suspension or expulsion.

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 Posted on October 07, 2023 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Most people know that driving under the influence (DUI) in Tennessee can result in arrests and criminal charges. However, you might not realize just how serious the consequences of a DUI conviction can be. Even a first-time DUI can affect your life in many costly ways

For a chance at obtaining the best possible outcome of your DUI case, seek help from a Knoxville DUI defense attorney immediately following an arrest.

Court-Ordered Penalties for DUI in Tennessee

Tennessee law sets out many different DUI charges, each with its own potential penalties the court can order upon conviction. If you are convicted of DUI, you might face:

• Costly fines
• Time in jail
• Probation
• Loss of your driver’s license
• Substance abuse education or treatment

These penalties alone can impact your life, but there are also many additional consequences you might face for a Tennessee DUI

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