Criminal Defense Case Results in Tennessee

Charge

Open Container

Location

Williamson County, General Sessions

Allegations

The client was cited for an open container offense after a brief police encounter. We moved quickly to obtain the state's evidence and dissect the officer's account, focusing on whether the container was actually open, where it was found, and whether it could be tied to our client. We pressed the burden of proof issues and highlighted gaps in the documentation. Facing those weaknesses and our readiness to litigate, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Driving Under the Influence

Location

Williamson County, General Sessions

Allegations

Police arrested our client for DUI after a roadside encounter. We secured the discovery, dissected the reason for the stop, the officer's observations, and how the evidence was collected. Our analysis revealed gaps and inconsistencies that undercut the state's ability to prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt. We presented these problems to the prosecutor and prepared to challenge the case in court. Facing a weakened file, the state dismissed the charge.

Charge

Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle

Location

Williamson County, General Sessions

Allegations

The client was accused of evading arrest in a vehicle after an alleged attempt by officers to initiate a stop. We obtained the discovery and mapped out the timeline, focusing on whether the client actually knew a lawful order to stop had been given. We also pressed the state on gaps in proof tying our client to the driver and on the intent element required for evading. After sustained negotiations and signaling readiness to litigate, the prosecution acknowledged the weaknesses and dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

Stopped for an expired registration, the client consented to a vehicle search. Officers found a small amount of plant material and a THCA vape, then issued a citation with instructions to self book. We stepped in early, coordinated processing, and pulled discovery to question whether the substances were truly illegal and how they were tested. Using the client’s clean history and those evidentiary issues, we pressed for a noncustodial outcome. The state agreed to straight probation, avoiding jail and limiting collateral consequences.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

A routine traffic stop for a registration issue led to a vehicle search after consent was given. Officers found a dugout and a vape, and charged our client with unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. We examined the basis for the stop, the voluntariness and scope of the search, and pressed the state on proving what was actually in the devices. We also documented the client's clean record and cooperation. After negotiations, the state agreed to a plea to straight probation, avoiding jail and keeping penalties limited.

Charge

Theft of Property ($1,000 or Less)

Location

Rutherford County, SMYRNA JUSTICE CENTER

Allegations

Loss prevention stopped the client at a self checkout over a small amount of merchandise, and police issued a citation instead of an arrest. We coordinated the required booking and fingerprints, secured a waiver of the initial court appearance, and kept the client informed throughout. In negotiations, we emphasized the clean record and the low alleged value and pressed for a non conviction resolution. The prosecutor agreed to deferred adjudication, avoiding a conviction and positioning the client for expungement upon successful completion.

Charge

Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Sumner County, C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

Police cited our client for leaving the scene after a minor property accident. He had swerved to avoid an animal, believed he struck a trash can, and drove a short distance on a blown tire to a nearby residence. When told it was a mailbox, he returned, spoke with the owner and officers, and his insurance paid for the damage. We gathered the citation noting his return and collected proof of restitution. We pressed the prosecution on the ability to prove he knowingly left the scene and highlighted full cooperation and no injuries. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Implied Consent Violation (Civil)

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

Officers responded to a call and found the client in a parked vehicle, with no driving observed. They noted an odor of alcohol and watery eyes, read the implied consent advisement, and the client declined blood or breath testing. Due to icy conditions, no field tests were performed and no warrant was obtained for a draw. We obtained and reviewed the bodycam and reports, emphasizing the thin record and lack of driving evidence, and pressed those points in negotiations. The civil implied consent allegation was reduced to a less serious disposition.

Charge

DUI

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

Police responded to a neighborhood call and found our client slumped over in a parked car during icy conditions. Officers noted watery eyes and an alcohol odor, but there was no driving observed, no field sobriety testing due to the weather, and no blood or breath sample. We obtained and reviewed the bodycam and reports, highlighting the lack of chemical evidence and the thin proof of actual operation. We pressed those weaknesses with the prosecutor and made clear we were ready for hearings. The state agreed to reduce the case to a lesser non-DUI offense, sparing the client jail and a DUI conviction.

Charge

Implied Consent Violation (Civil)

Location

Davidson County

Allegations

After a crash, officers pursued an implied consent case, marking the client as a refusal even though no breath or blood test was performed. We obtained the body camera video and reconstructed the encounter, noting the chaotic scene, freezing wind, and communication issues. Comparing the report to the footage, we flagged inconsistencies and argued there was no clear, unequivocal refusal. With those weaknesses on the record, the state agreed to reduce the civil penalties tied to the implied consent allegation.

Charge

DUI - First Offense

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

After a collision, police investigated and arrested our client for DUI. The individual reported head and body pain, disclosed sciatica, and was told to perform field sobriety tests in wind and cold. No breath or blood test was ever obtained despite the client saying they would consent. We reviewed body camera video showing no clear alcohol odor and testing done in harsh conditions, and we submitted medical records for vertigo and sciatica. Faced with unreliable testing and no chemical proof, the prosecutor reduced the case to a non DUI offense with straight probation.

Charge

Domestic Assault - Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 4C

Allegations

Police arrested our client after an argument at a rental where alcohol was involved. Officers relied on a verbal-threat allegation, there was no report of physical injury and no weapon. We obtained the reports, identified credibility and proof issues, and noted that key witnesses were out of state and unwilling to participate. While contesting the case, we negotiated a path requiring 90 AA meetings in 90 days with documentation. After we submitted proof and pressed the evidentiary problems, the prosecution dismissed the case.