After an arrest, state prosecutors arraign someone in the Tennessee criminal courts. They outline the charges they intend to bring to obtain the approval of a judge. During that hearing, the defendant potentially has the option of requesting their release from state...
Criminal Defense
When can someone accused of assault claim self-defense?
There are three general scenarios in which the police might arrest someone in Tennessee based on assault allegations. The best-known definition of assault is the intentional decision to cause physical harm to another person through non-consensual physical contact....
What happens after the police illegally search someone’s car?
There are numerous rules that limit what the police can do, but law enforcement officers will often find ways to bend those rules. For example, there are very strict limits established about when and why police officers can search private property, such as someone's...
Assault or battery: What’s the difference?
If you are accused with assault or battery, you need to understand what that means and how those accusations could affect you. Violent crimes can lead to serious punishments, which is why you need to have a strong defense to protect yourself. In the scenario in which...
3 kinds of behavior that constitute self-defense in Tennessee
Under both Tennessee and federal law, it is illegal to commit an act of physical violence against another person. A physical altercation could lead to allegations of assault, while an incident involving a weapon might result in homicide charges. Those accused of...
Tennessee rules apply despite other states’ changing drug laws
A little over a decade ago, politicians could run for office with very few official policy stances. Just claiming to be tough on drugs was enough to get voters to back someone. Social attitudes about drug use have changed drastically in recent years. Between an...
What is the intent to distribute, and how could you face this charge?
Drug charges can negatively influence your life for many years to come. If you’re facing them, something you need to understand is that a simple act of possession could become a charge for intending to distribute drugs if you possessed enough for the prosecution to...
How much do looks matter during a criminal case?
While the way you look shouldn’t be a factor in the outcome of a criminal case, you should know that it could be. This is particularly true in cases where you have to be judged before a jury. How much do your looks matter? Physical attractiveness, psychologically,...