If you're preparing to go to trial in the state of Tennessee, it's important to know about the trial process so you'll know what to expect. Keep in mind that every case is different and the trial process will change based on several factors such as when a defendant is...
Protection and Understanding Legal Guidance
Criminal Defense
Do you know your legal rights when you are pulled over?
Getting pulled over by police in Tennessee can be intimidating, but while you are temporarily detained for a traffic violation, you still have constitutional rights. If you have been stopped for an infraction, then you must give the officer your license, insurance and...
What to do if police knock on your door
Tennessee residents who have had police knock on their door understand how intimidating it can be. Even if you have done nothing wrong, it’s easy to feel anxious at the sight of a police officer on your doorstep. If you are in some trouble, this situation can be even...
Your civil rights when the police come knocking at your door
Finding the police at the door of your Tennessee home can be confusing. It can also be scary when they demand you to let them in to search your home. However, you have certain rights in such a situation. It’s important to know how to respond and what you can or don’t...
Is bite mark evidence reliable in court?
Prosecutors in Tennessee sometimes rely on what is known as bite mark evidence when they are making a case against a defendant. However, there are considerable problems with bite mark evidence, and people who were falsely charged with capital crimes using bite mark...
Knowing when your car can be searched in Tennessee
After driving in a way that an officer believes is suspicious, you could be pulled over and questioned. The officer may write a ticket for the offense or give you a warning and send you on your way. Your vehicle could also be searched by the officer before a final...
Understanding and detecting identity theft
Identity theft has become a bigger issue for Americans since the advent of high-speed internet. Thousands of Tennessee residents are at risk of having their information used without authorization. There's personal information all over the internet, so it's possible...
Being prepared for the criminal justice system
Many people have a mythical perception of the law enforcement system that they get from popular media. In reality, the criminal justice system is far different. Mistakes that people make when dealing with Tennessee police and prosecutors can cost them in the long run....
When are the police required to read a Miranda warning?
TV shows and movies sometimes rely on the plot point of a defendant's charges getting dismissed because the police didn't read them a Miranda warning. A real-life Tennessee courtroom may be much different than images presented in pop culture. Requirements for reading...
Must the police read you your Miranda rights?
One of the most commonly missed understood areas of the justice system for the average Tennessee citizen is criminal law. Most people are aware of the fact that they have Miranda rights. However, not many of them understand just when these rights are to be read to...