When someone is convicted of murder, the deceased’s loved ones are usually given a chance before sentencing to tell the court how the crime has affected their lives emotionally, physically and financially. In Tennessee, this is a right protected by law. Victim impact...
Unless you're watching a low-budget slasher flick, murder is rarely a laughing matter. In the real world, and particularly in Tennessee, understanding the nuances of murder charges can mean the difference between a horror movie and a real-life nightmare. In that...
Tennessee's Stand Your Ground law has profound implications, particularly when invoked as a defense in murder cases. The ability to claim self-defense under the Stand Your Ground law can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal for those accused of murder....
Actions that cause physical harm to other people are often crimes. The law in Tennessee makes it illegal to intentionally injure another person. State prosecutors can also bring charges against someone for their involvement in another person's death even if their...
Being investigated or arrested for murder in Tennessee is a terrifying experience. A conviction for first-degree murder can pose consequences including lifetime incarceration. Fear can cloud your judgment, but taking the right steps immediately could make a...
The crime of passion defense is often used in situations where someone has lost their life. Another individual has been accused of taking that life, but they claim that it wasn’t murder. It was just a crime of passion. For example, say that someone is supposed to be...
Facing criminal charges involving someone’s death can be a difficult and stressful experience. You’ve likely heard different terms, such as murder, homicide and manslaughter but aren’t sure what they mean. While they may seem similar, there are some significant...
Prosecutors in Tennessee often try to file the most severe charges that they can against an individual who has been accused of breaking the law. Consider a scenario wherein someone causes a deadly car crash. Although the situation could lead to just a simple reckless...
Courts have handed down the death penalty as a legal sentence off and on throughout the history of Tennessee. Capital punishment remains a valid sentence even today. However, early in 2022, the governor suspended all executions temporarily to have the lethal...
For someone accused of a criminal offense in Tennessee, few charges are more intimidating than murder charges. First-degree murder, in particular, is so serious that it could result in life in prison. There are typically three penalties that may apply after a guilty...
