Criminal Defense Case Results in Nashville, TN

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

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

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.