Criminal Defense Case Results in Tennessee

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange of Marijuana

Location

Williamson County, Special Judge

Allegations

A traffic stop for an illegal U-turn ended with the officer claiming to smell marijuana, ordering a search over the client’s objection, and locating two pre-rolled joints and a small pipe. The client was cited rather than arrested and had no criminal history. We obtained the reports, examined the legal basis for the search, and challenged the reliability of the odor claim as probable cause. We also presented mitigation based on the small quantity and the client’s cooperation. Confronted with these issues and risks, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Stalking - Class A Misdemeanor

Location

Rutherford County, None

Allegations

After a heated text argument with a partner, our client learned there was a warrant and voluntarily turned themselves in on a misdemeanor stalking charge. We obtained the police report and sworn affidavit, which described a burst of messages confined to a single day while the two were in separate locations, with no continuing conduct alleged. We gathered proof of the client’s prompt counseling efforts and organized the full context of the dispute. The complainant informed prosecutors they did not wish to proceed. Relying on these points, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Vandalism - $1,000 or Less

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

Police sought our client in connection with an alleged door-damage incident at a residence. After processing, a citation was issued and a court date set. We guided the client through that phase, then investigated the accusation. The complainant said the door was damaged, but our client and an on-scene witness reported no damage occurred. We gathered sworn statements, underscored the inconsistencies, and pointed out the lack of corroborating proof. Confronted with these evidentiary problems, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Speeding

Location

Rutherford County, Murfreesboro City Court

Allegations

During a routine traffic stop our client was cited for alleged excessive speed. We obtained the citation and officer’s notes, then pulled the client’s driving record to confirm there were no recent points. We opened discussions with the city attorney and pressed mitigation based on the circumstances and the client’s clean history. After persistent follow up, including meeting the court’s requirement for original signatures, the prosecution agreed to drop the speeding citation. The case ended in a complete dismissal.

Charge

Reckless Driving

Location

Rutherford County, Murfreesboro City \u200bCourt.

Allegations

The client was cited after being clocked at roughly 40 mph over the limit. The officer added a reckless driving charge, citing low visibility and surrounding traffic. There was no arrest, only a ticket. We obtained the citation and report and engaged the local court, where no prosecutor was assigned. We pressed the evidentiary burden for reckless beyond speed alone and highlighted the client’s clean recent record. After negotiations at the hearing with court staff and the officer, the reckless charge was dismissed.

Charge

Public Intoxication

Location

Sumner County, C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

Police arrested our client for public intoxication after she was locked out of her home and walked toward a nearby friend's house. The report alleged she was a danger, but there was no driving, no contraband, and no disturbance. We gathered her account and documented proactive steps, including verified AA meeting attendance. We challenged whether the facts met the statute and highlighted her minimal record and job impact. The state agreed to a path to dismissal conditioned on brief good behavior and alcohol education. After she complied, the case was dismissed.

Charge

Violation of an Order of Protection

Location

Sumner County, C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

Police alleged our client violated an order of protection by going to a residence and contacting the protected party. We gathered the message history and call logs showing the protected party had directed the client to be at the property and continued communicating. We also challenged whether the order had been properly served at the time and documented that the incident occurred during a severe weather emergency with limited power and lodging. After presenting these issues and signaling readiness to litigate, we secured pre-trial diversion, keeping a conviction off the record.

Charge

Violation of Condition of Release

Location

Sumner County, Judge C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

Officers responded to a 911 call from the client requesting an ambulance for injuries and chest pain. She was on bond with a no alcohol condition. Despite her repeated requests for testing, officers assumed intoxication and arrested her for violating a condition of release. We compiled call logs and medical records showing a medical episode, not drinking, and emphasized the absence of any objective test to prove a violation. Faced with those gaps and our readiness to litigate, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

After a family dispute, officers were called and later tried to stop the client while driving. The client reported only noticing the lights late and continued while looking for a safe place to pull over due to hazardous road conditions, then went home. Days later, police arrested him and questioned him without Miranda warnings, leading to an admission. We challenged the state on driver identification, demanded the video evidence, and prepared to litigate suppression and a preliminary hearing. Facing these issues, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

False Imprisonment (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Davidson County, General Sessions

Allegations

After a domestic dispute, the client was accused of preventing a partner from leaving and allegedly taking keys. The client denied any confinement and said he left to work shortly after the argument. We obtained the complainant’s statement, police bodycam, and built a minute‑by‑minute timeline from phone records, texts, and rideshare trip logs. Those records conflicted with the alleged timeframe and showed no period of restraint. We presented the inconsistencies to the prosecutor, and the false imprisonment charge was dismissed.

Charge

Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Williamson County, Special Judge

Allegations

In a parking lot, the client thought they might have grazed a parked car, checked, saw no new damage, went inside, and later left. When police reached out, the client immediately cooperated, provided insurance details, filed a report, and was booked then released. We obtained the state's file and checked insurance records, finding no claim and minimal proof of damage. We pressed the prosecutor on evidentiary gaps and witness availability, and prepared to litigate. At the next setting, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession or Distribution of Alcohol by a Person Under 21

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

The case stemmed from a traffic stop where officers questioned our client about alcohol in the vehicle. He acknowledged purchasing it earlier, the officers poured it out and released him. The next day a separate charge was filed alleging possession or distribution of alcohol by a person under 21. We moved quickly, obtained the police report, and focused on the lack of preserved evidence and any proof he furnished alcohol to anyone. After pressing these issues with the prosecutor and preparing to litigate them, the state dismissed the case.