Criminal Defense Case Results in Nashville, TN

Charge

Domestic Assault - Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Sumner County, Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

After a domestic argument, our client was arrested for domestic assault based on a brief on-scene statement. He acknowledged some water was spit during the dispute, denied any neck grabbing, and there was no weapon or prior history. We moved quickly to modify the no-contact bond condition so the family could communicate while we investigated. We obtained the affidavit, officer video, and home security footage showing a third party escalating the situation and that our client called 911, then contrasted that with inconsistent accounts and the complainant's reluctance to proceed. With that record and proof of voluntary counseling, we pressed the prosecution, and the case was dismissed.

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Public Intoxication

Location

Rutherford County, SMYRNA JUSTICE CENTER

Allegations

The arrest followed an evening where the individual had been drinking at home and chose to walk to get food. An officer alleged the person stepped into traffic, leading to a public intoxication charge. The client had no criminal history and was fully cooperative. We scrutinized the officer’s account, questioned whether the legal requirement of endangerment was met, and compiled mitigation, including proof of a proactively completed alcohol education program. After negotiations and submission of documentation, the state dismissed the case.

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Tampering with Evidence

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Hall McFarlin III

Allegations

Police were called to a family home during a mental health crisis. Our client had taken a pair of scissors from a relative to prevent injury, then officers found them in his pocket and alleged he tried to hide evidence. We secured the client’s recording of the encounter and a witness account confirming he removed the item to disarm, not to conceal. We highlighted the lack of intent and inconsistencies in the report to the prosecutor. The felony was reduced to a lesser count with credit for time already served.

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Driving Under the Influence

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

After a single-vehicle roadside incident, the client was evaluated by medics and later arrested for DUI. No field sobriety tests were conducted, but a blood draw was taken and later indicated the presence of fentanyl. Our team obtained the toxicology, officer reports, and all body and dash camera footage, and closely examined the basis for impairment given the lack of roadside testing. We also addressed early bond conditions, including an ignition interlock order. Through negotiation built on these issues and mitigation, the case resolved with straight probation.

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Resisting Arrest

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Hall McFarlin III

Allegations

Police were called to a family residence during a mental health crisis. Our client was restraining a juvenile to protect a relative when officers arrived and misread the situation. He voiced frustration but maintained he did not physically resist. We secured the client’s arrest video and confronted the prosecution with discrepancies between the report and what the footage showed, including claims he dragged a juvenile. Using that context, we negotiated a reduction with credit for time served, closing the case without additional jail.

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DUI - Second Offense

Location

Williamson County, Court Room A

Allegations

Police charged our client with a second DUI after a minor property-damage incident. Officers contacted the client at home well after the vehicle was parked, conducted no field sobriety testing, and later obtained a hospital blood draw. We pressed for the body cam, mapped the dispatch timeline, and reviewed medical records, arguing the state could not prove impairment at the time of driving or rule out post-incident alcohol. Once we put those defects front and center and prepared for trial, the prosecution dismissed the case.

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Felony Motion to Revoke Probation

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 6B

Allegations

The client, on felony probation, was hit with a violation after a domestic dispute. A protective order had been dismissed, yet probation still alleged a no contact breach and a warrant issued. We pulled the probation terms and court records, confirming there was no active no contact condition. We compiled the dismissal paperwork and proof of stability, including recent work and enrollment plans. We challenged a full revocation and pressed for a limited sanction. The allegation was reduced and the court credited time already served, avoiding further jail.

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Immediate Notice of Accident

Location

Williamson County, Special Judge

Allegations

After a single-vehicle mishap that damaged a roadside sign, the client was cited for Immediate Notice of Accident when officers contacted them shortly after they had parked. We reviewed the reports and reconstructed the timeline from the incident to first contact. The evidence showed no officer witnessed the crash and there was only a brief gap before contact. We emphasized there was no proof of a willful failure to promptly report, and that property damage was being handled through insurance. The prosecution dropped the charge and the court dismissed the case.

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Aggravated Assault - Strangulation

Location

Wilson County

Allegations

Police were called to a domestic dispute at a residence and, relying on the initial statement, arrested our client for felony strangulation. The client reported being scratched in the eye and obtained hospital records documenting a corneal abrasion shortly after the incident. We compiled those medical records with extensive text messages that undercut the allegation and highlighted that the complainant later sought to relax no-contact restrictions. Confronted with credibility issues and little corroboration, the state dismissed the case.

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Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony

Location

Rutherford County

Allegations

After a traffic stop, officers reported finding a bag of suspected narcotics and a handgun in the vehicle, leading to a charge for possessing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The case carried significant prison exposure. We scrutinized the basis for the stop and the search, pressed the prosecutor on proof issues, and built mitigation with documented treatment and a verified plan for immediate rehab from custody. We coordinated intake with a facility and secured a path forward. The state agreed to a plea to straight probation on the weapon count.

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Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Rutherford County

Allegations

After a traffic stop for alleged swerving, officers said a baggie was in plain view and searched the vehicle, logging a straw as drug paraphernalia. The client later needed medical care, and some items were recovered by medical staff, not police. We reviewed bodycam, reports, and medical records and found conflicting accounts of where items were found and who collected them, plus chain of custody gaps. We challenged the search and prepared a suppression motion. Confronted with these issues, the State dismissed the paraphernalia charge.

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Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (Brass Knuckles)

Location

Rutherford County

Allegations

After a traffic stop, officers searched the vehicle and said they found brass knuckles inside. The item was buried under other belongings and not on our client. We pulled the reports and bodycam, reconstructed how the knuckles were discovered, and challenged the state’s ability to prove knowing possession or any intent to go armed. We also highlighted problems with accessibility and dominion over the item. Confronted with these proof issues and our readiness to litigate, the prosecutor dismissed the charge.