Criminal Defense Case Results in Rutherford, TN

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 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

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 or Casual Exchange

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

A nighttime equipment stop led officers to ask for a vehicle search, which the client declined; a K-9 was brought in and a small amount of a controlled substance was found. We scrutinized the length of the detention and the basis for the dog deployment, highlighting weaknesses in the search. At the same time, we built mitigation with clean drug screens and proof of completion of a drug education course. We presented the issues and mitigation to the state and pressed for a noncustodial outcome. The case was resolved as probation, keeping the client out of jail and limiting the impact of the charge.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

After a traffic stop for an equipment issue, officers asked to search the vehicle. The driver declined, a K-9 was called and, after a delay, alerted, leading to discovery of a few unprescribed pills and a trace amount of powder. We reviewed the reports and video to question the length of the detention and the basis for the canine deployment, and underscored the minimal quantity involved. The client began weekly drug testing and completed a drug education course, which we used in mitigation. The case was resolved to straight probation with no jail time.

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.

Charge

Misdemeanor Motion to Revoke Probation

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

The client faced a motion to revoke probation after a later traffic stop led to new drug-related allegations. We pulled the prior probation file and new police reports, flagging issues with an extended roadside detention and K-9 deployment. To demonstrate rehabilitation, we assembled a series of clean drug screens and proof of recent substance-education coursework. In negotiations, we pushed back on jail as a sanction and argued for continued supervision. The result was straight probation.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

After a traffic stop, officers extended the encounter for a K-9 sniff and searched the vehicle, reporting plastic vials with small spoons, baggies, and a scale. We scrutinized the justification for prolonging the stop and the dog deployment, and emphasized that the items were new and showed no drug residue. We pushed back against any claim that the materials suggested distribution, narrowing the focus to simple paraphernalia. Using those points in negotiation, we secured straight probation on the paraphernalia charge with no jail time.