Criminal Defense Case Results in Tennessee

Charge

Aggravated Assault (Class C Felony)

Location

Rutherford County, SMYRNA JUSTICE CENTER

Allegations

Police were called during a domestic mental health episode. Officers alleged aggravated assault after a knife was thrown and later found lodged in a door, though the client maintained it was not directed at anyone. We obtained the reports and documented that no one was injured and the complaining witness stated he did not feel threatened and did not wish to pursue the case. We highlighted the mental health context and the conflicting accounts in the record. Confronted with these problems, the prosecution dismissed the charge.

Charge

Domestic Assault - Bodily Injury

Location

Sumner County, Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

Police responded to a 911 hang up during a domestic dispute. The client reported a verbal argument, saying a phone was taken and passports were secured to prevent sudden travel, and that no weapon was involved. The affidavit claimed door blocking and grabbing, yet no interpreter was used and key wording did not reflect the complainant's limited English. We moved quickly, addressed restrictive bond terms, obtained context from both sides, and outlined translation problems and conflicting accounts to the prosecutor. The complainant did not wish to proceed. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

False Report

Location

Sumner County, C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

Police charged our client with making a false report after a chaotic domestic incident. We reconstructed the timeline by organizing the client’s communications, messages, and prior contacts with dispatch to verify what was actually said and when. Lining that up against the incident report, we demonstrated that key statements were mischaracterized and that the client’s report was made in good faith, not knowingly false. We presented this to the prosecutor and signaled readiness to litigate the elements. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Harassment

Location

Sumner County, C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

The harassment allegation arose from a string of text messages exchanged during a heated personal dispute. Police relied on select screenshots to claim repeated, unwanted contact. We obtained the complete message threads, call logs, and a detailed timeline, showing several messages were responsive to communications initiated by the complainant and lacked any threat or intent to harass. We exposed contradictions between the report and the records and noted the same communications were already used in another matter. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Domestic Assault - Second Offense

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Lisa Eischeid

Allegations

A domestic argument at a residence escalated, and a neighbor reported seeing the incident. Officers arrived and arrested the client, while the complainant later declined to give a statement. We obtained the reports and body‑camera footage, scrutinized the third‑party account, and compared it with the complainant’s later position, highlighting key inconsistencies. We set the case for a contested setting to force the state to produce its witnesses. Confronted with an uncooperative complainant and evidentiary weaknesses, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

Police stopped the client for equipment and registration issues and, after a consent search, claimed a rolled dollar bill held cocaine residue. The state filed a simple possession charge under the casual exchange statute. We obtained discovery and demanded lab proof of the substance and a quantifiable amount. We also scrutinized the basis for the stop, the scope of the search, and the length of the detention. Confronted with these evidentiary problems and our intent to litigate them, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Theft - $2,500 or More

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5A

Allegations

An arrest warrant for a theft over $2,500 surfaced under our client's name, even though he denied any involvement. He told us a relative had likely used his identity, and the paperwork reflected mismatched identifiers including the date of birth. We filed a discovery demand and pushed for every item tying him to the incident, from reports to any video and identification materials. When the state could not produce reliable evidence linking him, and with a separate suspect already facing similar charges, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Vandalism Over $1,000

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5A

Allegations

An older vandalism charge resurfaced when our client was arrested with no prior notice of the case. From the start, the client reported possible identity misuse. We filed for discovery and sought police reports and any video, pressing the prosecutor for the file. Comparing the case data to court records, we found mismatched identifiers and another individual tied to the incident. We compiled those inconsistencies and prepared to litigate misidentification. The state dismissed the vandalism case.

Charge

Theft (Value $60,000 to $250,000)

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5A

Allegations

The client was accused in a long-pending, high value theft case. He only learned of it upon arrest and told us someone had been using his name. We filed our appearance and demanded full discovery, including reports, body and dash cams, and any identification materials. The materials showed inconsistent identifiers that did not match our client, and the photo on file was a different person. We challenged the reliability of the identification and kept steady pressure on the prosecutor. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Aggravated Criminal Trespass

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

Our client was arrested on an aggravated criminal trespass charge following an incident on private property. We secured the state’s file and dissected the arrest report line by line. We challenged whether the facts established knowing trespass and adequate notice, and made clear we were prepared to litigate those issues. After continued pressure in negotiations, the prosecution dismissed the case, keeping a conviction off the client’s record.

Charge

Assault

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

After a bar altercation, our client was charged with assault. He reported that an acquaintance had been harassing him for days, approached from behind, and threw a drink can, leading to a brief shove and a single punch. We obtained the police paperwork, worked to secure surveillance video from the location, and prepared a self-defense and mutual combat argument. We pushed for a hearing, pressed the prosecution on witness cooperation and the missing context in their proof, and made clear we were ready to litigate. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Vandalism - $1,000 or Less

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

A heated dispute at a car lot escalated when our client tossed a traffic cone that struck a parked vehicle, leading to an arrest. We investigated immediately, seeking surveillance footage and bystander cellphone video the complainants declined to provide. Our subpoenas and negotiations focused on the brief contact with the car and conflicting claims about how many vehicles were hit and the extent of damage. We made clear we would litigate valuation and credibility. Confronted with these evidentiary problems, the prosecution dismissed the case.