Criminal Defense Case Results in Nashville, TN

Charge

Failure to Notify Law Enforcement of an Accident

Location

Williamson County, Special Judge

Allegations

Another driver reported a minor contact and claimed our client left without calling police. When stopped later, the client told officers he did not believe he had been in a crash, though a scuff on a fender was noted afterward. We pressed for the accident report, dispatch records, and bodycam, and focused the state on the timeline showing he pulled over immediately when signaled and never interacted with the other motorist on scene. With no proof he knowingly failed to report an accident, the prosecution dismissed the charge.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Williamson County, Special Judge

Allegations

The client was stopped and arrested. After the client had been removed from the scene, officers searched the vehicle and reported finding items they labeled as drug paraphernalia in the trunk. We obtained the bodycam and police reports and focused on the justification for the warrantless trunk search, the lack of any recorded consent, and how the evidence was documented. We put the state on notice that we were prepared to litigate suppression. The prosecution dismissed the paraphernalia charge.

Charge

Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

Police alleged our client left the scene after a single-vehicle crash. According to reports and video, the car was disabled and the client walked away from active lanes toward a safer area, no other vehicles or injuries were involved. We pulled the accident report and body and dash camera footage, then compared the officer's narrative to the timeline and location data. We pressed the state on whether they could prove a knowing failure to stop and report rather than a safety move. Faced with those issues, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Charge

Public Intoxication (Class C Misdemeanor)

Location

Wilson County

Allegations

Our client was arrested for public intoxication after an encounter with police in a public area. We obtained the report, evaluated the officer's account, and prepared to challenge whether the statutory elements were actually met. At our direction, the client completed an alcohol education class and we submitted the certificate ahead of court. We met the client at the hearing and engaged the prosecutor with that mitigation and our defenses. The state agreed to dismiss the case.

Charge

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.

Charge

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.

Charge

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.

Charge

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.

Charge

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.

Charge

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.

Charge

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.

Charge

Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

During a traffic stop for a minor equipment issue, officers called for a K-9 after the client declined consent to search, which led to a vehicle search. A handgun was discovered inside the vehicle, secured in a case and not on the client. We scrutinized the length of the detention before the dog arrived and highlighted how the firearm was stored, questioning whether the facts fit the charge. Leveraging those issues and mitigation we assembled, we pressed for a noncustodial resolution and negotiated probation.