Criminal Defense
Tennessee Saw an Increased Number of DUIs in 2014
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released its report with the latest findings for 2014. The data shows that 29,544 people were arrested for DUI last year, an increase of 639 people from 2013. According to the Chattanooga Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, “the bump is due to new techniques that include using analytic…
Read MoreNext Steps for Convicted Vanderbilt Students
At 4:52pm on January 27, 2015, Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were convicted for the rape of a female Vanderbilt student in June of 2013. The case has been under heavy public scrutiny since it was announced, and after a trial lasting 12 days it took the jury all of (I don’t know how long…
Read MoreSentencing in Vanderbilt Rape Case Set for March 6th
A case involving two Vanderbilt students convicted of raping a young woman in a dorm room in 2013 has gripped the national news for the last 19 months. On January 27, 2015, a jury found the defendants, Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg, guilty of all charges filed against them. The judge has set the sentencing…
Read MoreNew Legislation? Let Us Hear Your Voice!
The 2015 Tennessee General Assembly kicked off today in the state’s capital of Nashville. As the co-chair of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Legislative Committee, I will be monitoring all bills related to the constitutional rights of our citizens and the criminal justice system in Tennessee. As the session begins and quickly progresses,…
Read MoreWhy Ignoring the Rules of the Road is a Bad Idea When You’re Carrying 36lbs of Weed
Let us start by saying: it’s never a good idea to speed, drive recklessly or leave a broken taillight unfixed. There’s been a real crackdown by the Tennessee State Police, and by local municipalities as well, to keep reckless and drunk drivers at bay, and you put yourself and others at risk when you drive…
Read MorePolice Now Need A Warrant To Search Your Cell Phone!
In today’s digital world, new laws governing the internet, cell phones and peoples’ rights to privacy arise quite often. While many of these laws have been in favor of government interests, such as national security, on Wednesday the Supreme Court ruled in favor of privacy. As of Wednesday, police can no longer casually search your…
Read MoreIt’s Festival Season! Protecting You at Bonnaroo
Word is that the unofficial criminal defense slogan of Coachella is “Come on vacation, leave on probation.” It’s a catchy motto but with Bonnaroo only a month away, it’s one that makes us nervous. If the 2014 Bonnaroo event is anything like the ones in previous years, we’re looking at almost 100,000 people in 530…
Read MorePlanning to Have Sex? Better Ask for ID
Last year a survey was conducted and Tennessee ranked #1 in violent crimes in America. Sexual assault and rape were in that violent crimes category. Statutory rape, however, is a particularly difficult crime to place, as it’s different from forcible rape. In other words, you can be convicted on a statutory rape charge even if…
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