Criminal Defense Case Results in Rutherford, TN

Charge

Driving Under the Influence (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

Police contacted our client during a roadside investigation and initiated a DUI inquiry. He performed field sobriety testing and later consented to a blood draw. We reviewed the reports and the officer’s affidavit and noted that only the eye test was administered, and the reported alcohol level was not especially high. Throughout the case we kept the client in full compliance with alcohol monitoring and court directives, coordinating necessary travel without incident. Leveraging these points, we negotiated a plea to straight probation with no jail time.

Charge

Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Lisa Eischeid

Allegations

The case began with a traffic stop after a right turn at a signal, where the officer alleged our client failed to come to a complete stop and issued a citation for failing to obey a traffic control device. We reviewed the dashcam, the timing of the stop, and the officer’s report. We met with the prosecutor and used our analysis to push for a noncustodial resolution. The state agreed to straight probation, allowing the client to resolve the case with conditions rather than additional penalties.

Charge

DUI - First Offense

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Hall McFarlin III

Allegations

After a late-night stop for speeding, the client was arrested for DUI. Bodycam footage showed a cooperative, clear-spoken driver, while the officer rushed and misinstructed key field sobriety tests. The client declined a voluntary blood draw, and a sample was later taken under a warrant. We secured the videos and reports, flagged improper test administration and post-arrest questioning without Miranda, and showed how the footage undercut the state’s impairment theory. Faced with those evidentiary problems, the prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

DUI - First Offense

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Hall McFarlin III

Allegations

Stopped for headlights late at night, the client was followed from a convenience store to a residence before the officer activated lights. Field sobriety tests were done in a sloped driveway while the client wore slippers and was on prescribed medication that can affect eye tracking and balance. Reports noted no erratic driving and conflicted on when the stop began. We obtained the police reports and blood paperwork, challenged the reliability of the testing and observations, and the state dismissed.

Charge

Assault - Class A Misdemeanor

Location

Rutherford County, SMYRNA JUSTICE CENTER

Allegations

Police were called to a disturbance at a grocery store after a verbal exchange turned physical. Our client reported that the other person rushed him and he acted in self-defense. Responding officers at the time could not identify a primary aggressor and sent both parties on their way. Long after the incident, an old warrant surfaced and the case was filed as a misdemeanor assault. We obtained the reports, highlighted discrepancies between the initial scene response and the later allegation, and compiled available witness accounts supporting self-defense. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange of Marijuana

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

Our client was cited after a traffic incident where officers, noticing an unopened alcohol bottle, requested consent to search and found a THC vape cartridge in the center console. There were no scales, baggies, cash, or signs of sales. We investigated whether the cartridge was a lawful hemp product and raised serious questions about the client's knowledge and ownership. We also secured a reset to accommodate out-of-town work and engaged the prosecutor early. After reviewing our concerns, the state dismissed 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

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

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

Possession of Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute (0.5 Grams or More)

Location

Rutherford County

Allegations

Following a traffic stop for alleged swerving, officers reported a baggie in plain view and later recovered fentanyl over the threshold after a passenger medical emergency. We scrutinized the stop and search, compared the paperwork, and highlighted inconsistencies in how the substance and weight were described. As the case sat awaiting indictment, we built mitigation, documented the client’s lack of felony history, and secured immediate placement in a residential treatment program with a direct transfer from custody. Leveraging that plan, we negotiated straight probation so the client could continue treatment under supervision.

Charge

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.

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.