Criminal Defense

Nashville Criminal Defense Attorneys

Providing Steadfast and Experienced Legal Representation to Clients Navigating the Criminal Justice System in Middle Tennessee

At Community Law Group, we listen without judgment, explain without beating around the bush, and defend you with strategy, speed, and results. This moment doesn’t define your life, but it does require you to make a smart decision.

Criminal defense practice areas we represent include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Aggravated assault, battery, and other violent crimes
  • Criminal charges that affect immigration status
  • Domestic violence and child abuse
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI)
  • Drug crimes
  • Expungement
  • Felonies and misdemeanors
  • Murder, attempted murder, and vehicular homicide
  • Plea bargaining
  • Probation violations
  • Public intoxication
  • Resisting arrest
  • Serious traffic violations
  • Sex crime accusations, including sexual assault
  • Stalking
  • Theft or larceny
  • Trespassing and property crimes
  • Violations of orders of protection
  • Weapons offenses
  • White-collar crimes

If you are facing criminal charges, you must take these matters very seriously, regardless of whether you committed a crime or are otherwise falsely accused. There are serious consequences to a criminal offense, and some go beyond legal consequences, including the possibility of a driver’s license revocation, loss of employment opportunities, and an impact on child support payments. Those facing complex criminal matters are strongly encouraged to retain aggressive representation from an experienced attorney.

Our criminal defense law offices are here to provide you with the legal support you require throughout the criminal court process, beginning with the arrest, through the criminal investigation, and eventually picking apart the prosecution’s case or considering options for a plea deal. With our help, you can achieve a favorable outcome for your criminal case and hopefully avoid jail time or other harsh penalties. To discuss your case and the value of an aggressive defensive strategy, please contact our Tennessee law firm to schedule your initial consultation today.

What Legal Services Does a Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer Provide in Criminal Cases?

Those accused of criminal offenses in Tennessee require an aggressive defense throughout the entire legal process to help them avoid the serious consequences of a conviction. Our law firm has the legal experience representing clients in domestic assault, sexual battery, fraud, controlled substance manufacturing, and a whole variety of other types of crimes.

If you plan to enter a not guilty verdict, we will do everything within our power to tear apart the prosecution’s case and dismiss any evidence against you in hopes of clearing your name. Those who plan to plead guilty and accept a plea bargain are also encouraged to retain experienced legal representation to ensure they get the most favorable terms in their deal possible.

 As your attorneys, we can help by providing some of the following legal services:

  • We analyze your case thoroughly and without prejudice
  • We create a clear and realistic legal strategy
  • We negotiate charges, seek reductions, or dismissals
  • We represent you in every hearing, from day one
  • We guide you step by step so you can make decisions with confidence

If you have any questions or concerns about your criminal case, contact our Nashville criminal defense lawyers to schedule an in-depth case review today.

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Criminal Conviction?

Tennessee prosecutors pursue convictions with aggression and tenacity. Sometimes, they will even attempt to make an example out of the accused. Depending on the type of criminal charges, your case could be designated as a misdemeanor or a felony offense. Misdemeanors tend to carry lighter penalties, but a conviction for either a misdemeanor or a felony can have long-lasting effects on your life and opportunities because of the stain on your criminal record.

Among the possible penalties for criminal convictions in Tennessee are the following:

  • Costly fines and penalty assessments
  • Driver’s license revocations and the revocation of specialty licenses
  • Jail time or prison sentences
  • Loss of parental rights, including child custody
  • Loss of the right to possess a firearm, depending on the criminal offense
  • Negative impact on housing, employment, and education opportunities
  • Orders of restitution to pay back victims of crimes
  • Probation
  • Registration as a sex offender for certain sex offenses
  • And more

The type of punishment you may receive often depends on the type of crime you’ve been accused of, the severity of that crime, and the evidence in the case. For help avoiding the worst possible sentences, contact our law firm for legal assistance.

Do You Have to Speak to the Arresting Police Officer?

You do not need to speak to the police during an arrest in Tennessee. Individuals must only identify themselves when operating a vehicle, as they must present a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of driver’s insurance upon request. Otherwise, you are not legally required to defend yourself, explain yourself, or answer law enforcement officers’ questions during a traffic stop or arrest. You must also identify yourself if you have been lawfully detained or placed under arrest. During casual conversations with the police, you can simply walk away unless you are under suspicion of a criminal act.

You have the right to remain silent, even in casual conversations or encounters with the police. You are not obligated to answer questions. The right to remain silent applies to both United States citizens and non-citizens within the country. It is wise to calmly state that you are exercising your right to remain silent so that this is added to the official record. Invoking your right to remain silent can create tension during an encounter with the police, but it ensures that you do not unintentionally incriminate yourself or hurt your criminal defense case.

You have the right to an attorney. Our law firm offers in-depth case evaluations to defendants accused of criminal acts in Middle Tennessee. You must contact our law offices immediately if you have been detained, arrested, or are suspected of a crime. The sooner our criminal lawyers can examine your case, the better the chances you and your family members can avoid the harsh consequences of a criminal conviction.

What is the Legal Process in a Criminal Defense Case?

Those accused of crimes in Tennessee must retain legal representation to assist them throughout the criminal defense process.

Contact us immediately if you’ve been arrested in the Nashville area. The arrest process can be overwhelming for many defendants, and any small mistake could negatively impact their potential defense strategies.

After the arrest, the prosecutors and your legal representatives will conduct an in-depth criminal investigation. The investigation aims to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong defense that clears your name. Potential evidence that may be useful to your case could include surveillance footage, police reports, evidence that suggests police misconduct, eyewitness testimonies, and more.

Pretrial proceedings will then begin. During this phase, your Nashville criminal attorneys negotiate with the prosecution to see whether charges can be dropped or reduced. Attorneys also explore all potential legal options and defense strategies, and may file motions to protect your legal rights.

If your case goes to trial, you want experienced trial attorneys to defend your interests in the courtroom. Our trial lawyers have the legal experience necessary to represent your rights before a judge in a court of law.

If the worst happens and you are convicted, your legal counsel will work to minimize the punishments and fight for alternative sentencing options such as rehabilitation programs or probation. If these attempts to secure alternative sentencing or reduce the potential penalties are unsuccessful, our lawyers can explore possibilities for filing appeals to have convictions overturned or sentences reduced.

What Sort of Criminal Defense Strategy Might Help Your Case?

The sort of criminal defense strategy that is right for your case depends upon several factors. What might help one defendant may be inappropriate or insufficient for the next. Our Nashville criminal defense lawyers will need to examine the particulars of your case to determine the right sort of defense strategy.

Potential criminal defense strategies may include the following:

  • The burden of proof falls on the prosecutor to show that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Your Nashville lawyers will attempt to establish reasonable doubt in hopes of seeing your case dismissed
  • In sex crime cases, your lawyers will likely attempt to argue that consent was provided
  • Those accused of violent crimes may successfully employ self-defense strategies in court
  • Police misconduct or mishandling of evidence could see evidence being dismissed, thus helping your case
  • In the event of a DUI or DWI charge, your lawyers could argue the accuracy or validity of blood alcohol tests
  • Burglary defendants may argue that they had no intention of committing a crime or that they believed the property to be theirs

Can Nashville Criminal Lawyers Defend Your DUI/DWI or Reckless Driving Case?

Driving while intoxicated (DWI), sometimes also referred to as driving under the influence (DUI), is a very serious charge. If you fail a breathalyzer test when stopped by the police, and your case is not handled correctly, you could face lifelong consequences.

If you have been convicted of this offense, you are likely to face:

  • A DWI conviction will appear on both your criminal record and driving history
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for a specific period
  • You may go to jail
  • You will have to pay fines
  • You may need to pay to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
  • You will have to participate in intervention programs and possibly other treatments
  • Your vehicle insurance premiums will increase for several years
  • It may be challenging to obtain life insurance with a DWI conviction

What Other Practice Areas Does Our Tennessee Law Firm Represent?

  • Immigration Law
  • Civil Law
  • Contracts
  • Personal Injury Cases
  • Family Law
  • Business Law

Contact Us to Request a Consultation with Our Experienced Nashville Criminal Attorneys Today

Those accused of sex crimes, violent crimes, and other serious criminal offenses must seek the professional legal representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Some defendants opt to represent themselves or accept the legal representation of a public defender, but this is often unwise. Those who retain the services of experienced criminal defense attorneys to help them through the complex legal system frequently have better success and more dedicated or personalized representation.

Our Tennessee law office has extensive experience representing clients in criminal defense matters. We will treat your case with the respect and aggressive representation it deserves to help you through the process and either see charges dismissed or reduced. We can also assist clients hoping to have their records expunged following a criminal conviction.

To discuss your case with our experienced legal team, please contact us to schedule your no-obligation case evaluation today. You can reach our Nashville office at 615-616-6775 or our Chattanooga law office at 423-373-7796. We look forward to speaking with you.