You may experience some nervousness when the police knock unexpectedly on the door of your Tennessee home. In these situations, you must remember your rights to handle the encounter calmly and respectfully. Stay calm and assess the situation First, remain composed and...
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Criminal Defense
Are the police allowed to search your vehicle without a warrant?
There's almost no feeling worse for Tennessee drivers than seeing blue and red lights in their rear-view mirrors. After pulling over for the police, knowing what they can and can't do regarding vehicle searches is imperative. A police officer's right to conduct...
What are my rights if a police officer pulls my car over?
Law enforcement officers cannot legally conduct random traffic stops in Tennessee. To justify the stop, they must reasonably suspect a driver is violating a law. Sometimes all it takes is speeding or recklessly switching lanes to warrant suspicious behavior. You...
Why is it hard to prove identity theft allegations?
Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for its victims. The frequency of its occurrences has been steadily increasing over the past few years. With these cases increasing, proving allegations of identity theft can be even more...
Your rights to stay silent
If you're stopped by an officer in Tennessee, you might think that you have to describe everything that you were doing at the time or answer anything that is asked. However, you do have rights that allow you to stay quiet in most situations. Staying silent One of the...
What are the punishments for marijuana crimes in Tennessee?
The punishments for marijuana are strict in Tennessee although possession and exchange are usually misdemeanors. Selling even small amounts of the drug is a felony on the first offense. Possession Criminal law in Tennessee classifies possession of less than 0.5 ounces...
DUI checkpoints
Drunk driving puts road users at significant risk of harm. Checkpoints set up by Tennessee law enforcement officials make it possible to catch intoxicated drivers before they cause an accident. However, a checkpoint stop differs from a DUI stop on the road, and...
Multiple offense sentencing for DUI in Tennessee
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal offense that can result in severe penalties, including jail time and fines. You may be subject to multiple offense sentencing if you are found guilty of DUI in Bartlett, Tennessee. What is multiple offense sentencing?...
Possible professional repercussions to a criminal conviction
Having a Tennessee criminal conviction on your record can be a nightmare. There is a stigma tied to it, so it’s no surprise that there are many consequences you could face. The following are some of the professional repercussions that might affect you. Being denied a...
Challenging a court decision through appeal
After a verdict is given in court in Tennessee, you might not agree with the decision. You have the right to file an appeal in order for more evidence to be obtained and to try to put together a defense that includes more details. Grounds for appealing As part of the...