Posted on April 05, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Plea deals, also known as plea agreements, have become relatively common aspects of the criminal justice system. These agreements involve a negotiation between the prosecutor and the defense attorneys, often resulting in lighter prison sentences or reduced charges for the defendant. However, accepting a plea deal raises the question of whether the defendant is admitting guilt or simply making a strategic choice. Today, we will further discuss plea deals and their implications on the defendant’s admission of guilt. Remember, if you have been charged with a crime or are suspected of committing a crime, strongly consider hiring a criminal defense attorney, as your freedom may be at stake.

Types of Plea Agreements

This blog will discuss three primary forms of plea agreements used in the criminal justice system. These include:

• Charge bargaining involves the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for the dismissal of more serious charges.

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 Posted on March 28, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Being charged with domestic violence can be a life-altering experience and not in a good way. It is crucial to understand the legal strategies that can be used to defend against these kinds of charges. Domestic violence charges can lead to severe consequences, including incarceration, loss of custody, and damage to your reputation. Today, we will be discussing essential legal defense strategies to consider if you have been charged with committing an act of domestic violence. In serious cases such as this, it is imperative to contact and hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure you are able to adequately defend yourself against these charges. 

Consider These Defense Strategies

Firstly, it is essential to evaluate the evidence against you. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the alleged criminal offense. It is the responsibility of the defense attorney to scrutinize the evidence and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. For instance, the defense may argue that the accuser did not have any visible injuries or that the accuser’s statements are inconsistent. 

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 Posted on March 16, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Sex crimes can be among the most severe and challenging criminal cases to defend against. In Tennessee, depending on the specific charge, a conviction can result in severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, sex offender registration, and other lifelong consequences. Therefore, in order to successfully defend against a sex crimes charge, it is essential to hire a criminal defense attorney and begin considering a variety of legal strategies you may be able to employ to defeat the charges. Today, we are going to discuss some of these legal strategies. 

Consider These Strategies When Facing a Sex Crimes Charge

Here are some potential legal strategies that may be used to defeat a sex crimes charge:

• Challenge the evidence – The first strategy to consider is to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. This could involve questioning the witnesses’ credibility or the physical evidence’s accuracy. It may also include challenging the validity of search warrants or other legal procedures to obtain evidence. 

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 Posted on February 23, 2023 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Every year, thousands of people are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). While many of these arrests are made following traffic stops initiated by police officers, some are based on anonymous tips from concerned members of the public. If you have been pulled over and arrested for DUI based on an anonymous tip, you may be wondering what your legal rights are in this situation. An experienced DUI defense lawyer can help you understand your options for protecting your best interests.

The Legality of Anonymous Tips and Traffic Stops

In short, yes – an anonymous tip can prompt a traffic stop. A concerned citizen can anonymously alert the authorities about a potential drunk driver, and the police are allowed to use this information as sufficient probable cause to pull over the vehicle in question. However, in order for an arrest to be made on suspicion of DUI or any other crime, the officer must personally observe evidence of criminal activity. This means that even if they receive an anonymous tip about a motorist swerving all over the road or driving erratically, an officer can only stop the motorist and begin looking for signs of impairment, such as slurred speech and sluggish motor skills.

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 Posted on February 10, 2023 in DUI/DWI/BUI

As a parent, you probably hope that your child makes good decisions. Unfortunately, many young people experiment with alcohol before they are old enough to do so legally. Teens and young adults in this situation may face consequences that include the suspension of their driver’s license, fines, and other penalties.

If you or your child are facing administrative consequences or criminal charges related to drinking and driving, contact an experienced underage DUI defense lawyer for help.

Consequences for Under-21 Drivers Who Have Been Drinking

You may already know that the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Tennessee is 0.08 percent. However, this limit only applies to drivers aged 21 or older. If a driver is under the age of 21, the legal limit is 0.02 percent. An underage driver found to have a BAC of more than 0.02 percent may be charged with the offense of “underage driving while impaired.” A charge for underage drinking is also possible. Charges for underage driving while impaired may also be filed if the underage driver is suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicant, regardless of the BAC test results.

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 Posted on January 20, 2023 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Being pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving is never a fun experience. Typically, police officers ask a series of questions to drivers suspected of driving under the influence, including “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” Regardless of the answer, the officer may ask the subject to perform a series of field sobriety tests. These tests are intended to assess a person’s intoxication level. However, medical problems, injuries, and even obesity can prevent a person from completing field sobriety tests accurately.

What Are Field Sobriety Tests?

Field sobriety tests are physical actions that a person suspected of driving under the influence may be asked to perform. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognizes a battery of three different tests as “Standardized Field Sobriety Tests” or “SFSTs.” One requires the person to stand on one foot without falling over or putting the other foot down. Another requires the person to visually follow a moving object while the officer assesses the driver for signs of “horizontal gaze nystagmus,” an involuntary eye movement indicative of intoxication. The third test requires the driver to walk heel-to-toe along a straight line while counting steps, then to turn and walk back along the same line to the starting point.

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

Alcohol consumption is a common part of life for many people in the United States and throughout the world, used in everything from social gatherings to religious ceremonies. Responsible consumption is often relatively harmless, but excessive drinking can pose increasing risks for both drinkers and the people around them.

Those who drink alcohol have a legal responsibility to refrain from driving while inebriated. In Tennessee, the legal limit for driving a private vehicle is a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08. If you are found to have a BAC of 0.08 or higher, you can face legal consequences in the form of charges for driving under the influence (DUI). However, alcohol can begin to affect one’s body even at BAC levels below 0.08, and the effects increase at higher concentrations. If you drink alcohol, you should familiarize yourself with these different stages.

Physiological Effects of Different BAC Levels

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 Posted on December 20, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Your teen told you they were out with friends—perhaps friends that you have met dozens of times and you know their parents. Then, you get a phone call. At first, you think it is a joke or a prank, but the realization sets in that your child has been arrested for shoplifting. The authorities are letting you take them home for now. What does that mean? The questions begin spinning through your mind, from how you will handle the situation as a parent to how this affects college options and the future. The good news is that you are not alone; we are here to help.

Why Was My Child Released to Me?

Many juvenile shoplifting situations do not result in the young person being taken to jail. Instead, the police will often release the suspect to the custody of his or her parents after taking a report from the management at the store where the incident allegedly occurred. In the days and weeks that follow, you will receive further information about the case in the mail, including the dates and times of required court appearances. Your child must show up for these, and it is your responsibility to ensure that they do so.  Failure to appear will result in a warrant being put out for your child’s arrest and potentially other charges. You can assist your child by watching the mailbox and following up with the court.

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 Posted on December 09, 2022 in Criminal Defense

It is important for every American to understand their rights and responsibilities under state and federal law. One of the most important rights we have is the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Many criminal charges result from police searches. If you or a loved one are facing charges for drug possession or any other criminal offense after a vehicle search, contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer for help.

Know the Law Regarding Vehicle Searches

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits unjustified searches of personal property. However, it can be hard to know when a search is justified. The law also applies differently to vehicles than it does to homes or other types of personal property. Police usually need a search warrant to search your home, but vehicles are exempt from the search warrant requirement.

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 Posted on December 01, 2022 in Traffic Violations

Police interactions can make people incredibly nervous – even if they have done nothing wrong. This could be because of the many instances of police brutality and similar accounts that many have watched on the news or for more personal reasons. However, interacting with the police does not have to be a stressful ordeal. If you are ever stopped by police, it is important that you treat the officers with respect while simultaneously protecting your own rights. You should know how to safely interact with police and what to do if you have been arrested and accused of a crime.  

Do Not Give Police Officers a Reason to Be on the Defensive  

Police officers risk their lives every day in the course of their duties. Many officers have had co-workers or friends who have been injured or even killed while performing routine responsibilities such as traffic stops. One way you can make your police interaction less stressful for all parties involved is by following certain procedures designed to keep you and the officer safe.

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