Criminal Defense Case Results in Nashville, TN

Charge

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

Police responded to a single-vehicle crash and arrested our client for DUI after noting an odor of alcohol and claiming bloodshot eyes. We obtained and reviewed the body cam, which showed the client steady on their feet but sounding groggy, consistent with side airbags striking the head. There was no breath or blood test, and the client did not perform field sobriety tests, leaving the state with only subjective observations. We challenged the reliability of those observations and emphasized the lack of chemical evidence. After negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to reduce the case to reckless driving with straight probation.

Charge

Assault - Domestic Bodily Injury

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 4C

Allegations

Police arrested our client after a domestic dispute in a busy entertainment area when bystanders flagged an officer and the pair were separated. The arrest relied on the complainant’s initial statement, which later morphed into broader allegations that did not match our client’s messages or timeline. We compiled those inconsistencies, emphasized the lack of independent corroboration, and documented the state’s difficulty securing the complainant’s appearance. Confronted with credibility problems, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 4C

Allegations

The client was transported to jail on an unrelated police contact. During intake, staff found a small straw with trace residue in a pocket and charged the client with introducing contraband into a penal institution. We pulled the body-cam and booking records, which showed no pat-down in the field and no advisement to declare items before entry. We stressed the lack of evidence that the client knew the item was present or intended to bring anything into the facility, and questioned the significance of the trace residue. Faced with those issues, the state dismissed the case.

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

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

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

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.