Someone's home is their castle, and they deserve to feel safe in their residence. People can enjoy privacy within their own homes and should not have to worry about other people gaining access to the property without their consent. Of course, there are certain...
Criminal Defense
Why do people steal from their employers?
Employees may steal from their employers. In some cases, it’s a minor issue, such as taking office supplies home. In other cases, it’s a major issue, such as the theft of electronics. In still other cases, it could be a widespread embezzlement scheme involving...
The key differences between drug possession and trafficking
Drug possession and drug trafficking are both crimes in Tennessee, but they are each separate crimes with separate elements that the prosecution needs to prove for the court to convict you of either crime. However, the severity of the crimes varies significantly,...
Understanding DUI manslaughter in Tennessee
Tennessee recognizes DUI manslaughter as vehicular homicide. However, it does have specific laws that take into consideration the role of alcohol in the incident. Vehicular homicide is a serious offense that recognizes when a person operates a vehicle under the...
During a traffic stop, do you have to answer questions?
You’re on the way home one night when red and blue lights start flashing behind you. You pull over to the side of the road. Your heart is hammering in your chest because it’s been a long time since the police pulled you over. It makes you nervous and you are worried...
Examples of an alibi
Like many other legal terms, the word alibi comes from Latin. It means “elsewhere”, showing that the person was in another location at the time of the alleged crime. Their alibi, they believe, demonstrates that they were not involved. But just having an alibi doesn’t...
Can you refuse to allow the police in your home?
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. This means police officers generally cannot enter your home without a warrant. Despite that fact, there are some exceptions. There are strict standards for warrantless...
Updates to sentencing for serious convictions in Tennessee
Recent legislative developments in Tennessee have brought significant alterations to the legal landscape. On March 13, 2023, the Tennessee House changed how the law handles charges related to kidnapping and certain sexual offenses. As a resident of Tennessee, it is...
When can Tennessee police officers lawfully search someone’s vehicle?
Police officers typically want to solve as many criminal cases as they can. They are always on the lookout for signs of legal infractions. Sometimes, officers will begin an interaction based on one issue and then look for a more serious criminal issue. A traffic stop...
Could your social media activity hurt your case?
If you are like most American adults, you spend a relatively significant amount of time engaged on social media platforms. These resources are valuable in that they can keep people connected and invested in various concerns and causes in ways that would be difficult...