Criminal Defense Case Results in Tennessee

Charge

DUI - First Offense

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

After a night out, our client fell asleep in the passenger seat while another person drove the client’s car and was stopped for a traffic violation. Officers arrested our client for DUI by consent even though no breath or blood test was taken on our client. We obtained the police report, requested dashcam, and compiled witness information showing the client never authorized anyone to drive and had earlier given the keys to a sober companion. We emphasized that the actual driver’s BAC was only marginally above the limit and our client could not consent while asleep. Prepared to press the case in hearings, we persuaded the state to dismiss.

Charge

DUI - First Offense

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

Officers approached a parked vehicle on the shoulder and found our client asleep in the driver’s seat after a night out. The client declined field sobriety and breath testing, and a blood draw was later obtained by warrant. We obtained and reviewed dash and body camera video, scrutinized the basis for the encounter and the blood paperwork, and emphasized the limited driving evidence since the car was already parked. With those issues and early mitigation, including alcohol education, we pushed for a reduction. The state agreed to reduce the case to reckless driving with straight probation and required classes.

Charge

Driving While License Suspended (Class B Misdemeanor)

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

During a roadside encounter, officers learned our client’s license was suspended due to child support arrears and filed a charge for driving while license suspended. We pulled the driving record, documented the child support basis for the suspension, and coordinated resets so the client could begin taking steps toward reinstatement. We presented those efforts and the underlying reason for the suspension to the prosecutor and pressed for leniency. The state agreed to reduce the charge, and the client received straight probation.

Charge

Disorderly Conduct (Class C Misdemeanor)

Location

Sumner County, Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

During a roadside stop involving a friend, officers alleged the client created a public disturbance. We quickly secured the bodycam and the client's phone video and reviewed them frame by frame. The footage showed a fast escalation and repeated requests to speak with a supervisor, raising doubt that the conduct matched the statute. We organized those issues against the reports, presented mitigation, and put pressure on the prosecutor. The state agreed to pre-trial diversion, avoiding a conviction while the client completes conditions.

Charge

Resisting Arrest

Location

Sumner County, Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

Police were conducting a roadside stop of an acquaintance when our client arrived and asked for a supervisor. Bodycam and the client’s phone video showed the interaction escalated quickly as an officer reached for his arm, he pulled away, and he was tased, leading to a resisting arrest charge. We obtained and reviewed all video, challenged the escalation and necessity of force, and emphasized his clean history and veteran status. After sustained negotiations and preparing for a hearing, the state agreed to pre-trial diversion, positioning the case for dismissal.

Charge

DUI - First Offense

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D

Allegations

After leaving a small gathering, the client drove into a police road closure after a crash and was contacted by an officer. The client admitted drinking, attempted field sobriety tests despite balance issues, and consented to a blood draw. We demanded the video, reports, and lab data, and learned body cam from key officers was missing while another angle added little. We questioned the detention and the reliability of the testing. We also had the client complete DUI education, arrange an interlock, and prepared restricted license paperwork. The case resolved with straight probation.

Charge

Resisting Arrest (Class B Misdemeanor)

Location

Rutherford County

Allegations

During an encounter with officers, our client briefly turned to retrieve a ringing phone. Police treated that movement as resisting and took him to the ground. We obtained the bodycam and reports, mapped the timeline, and emphasized the absence of active interference, threats, flight, or clear commands. We put those weaknesses in front of the prosecutor and signaled we were ready to litigate whether the elements were met. The state dismissed the resisting arrest charge.

Charge

Domestic Assault - Offensive or Provocative Contact

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Lisa Eischeid

Allegations

The case began after a neighbor called 911 about a domestic dispute at a residence. Police alleged our client committed domestic assault after a beer can was thrown, but both parties reported there was no physical contact and no injury. The protected partner later moved to lift the no contact order and told the prosecution she did not wish to pursue the case. We obtained the police reports, contrasted the neighbor’s account with the partner’s denial, and underscored the lack of corroborating evidence. Faced with credibility problems and no proof of contact, the state dismissed the charge.

Charge

Driving Under the Influence (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

Police contacted our client during a roadside investigation and initiated a DUI inquiry. He performed field sobriety testing and later consented to a blood draw. We reviewed the reports and the officer’s affidavit and noted that only the eye test was administered, and the reported alcohol level was not especially high. Throughout the case we kept the client in full compliance with alcohol monitoring and court directives, coordinating necessary travel without incident. Leveraging these points, we negotiated a plea to straight probation with no jail time.

Charge

Driving Under the Influence

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5C

Allegations

After a late-night crash, officers conducted field sobriety tests and obtained a consensual blood draw, leading to a DUI arrest. We obtained the body and dash camera video and the lab report, which showed a high BAC and footage the State liked. While managing bond terms, including ignition interlock, we helped the client handle logistics after his car was totaled as he prepared to relocate out of state. On our advice, the client finished the 48 hour DUI center and alcohol education early, and we packaged that compliance for the prosecutor. The charge was reduced to a non DUI offense with straight probation, no additional jail, and the interlock requirement lifted.

Charge

DUI - Second Offense

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 5D - GS Division II

Allegations

Police found the client parked in a lot with the engine running, asleep in the driver’s seat, and an open container visible. Officers conducted field sobriety tests, obtained consent for a blood draw, and made an arrest for a second DUI. Our team secured the bodycam and lab records, scrutinized the basis for consent and the manner of roadside testing, and highlighted that the client was not observed driving. We also documented sustained recovery efforts, interlock compliance, clean testing, and meeting attendance. After focused negotiations, the client received probation.

Charge

Misdemeanor Motion to Revoke Probation

Location

Sumner County, C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

The client was on probation for a nonviolent misdemeanor and missed mail-in check ins while dealing with job loss and financial strain. After being picked up on the violation, we engaged early with the probation office, confirmed the client's renewed compliance, and obtained records of treatment and a scheduled mental health assessment. We reset the setting to allow those items to be completed, then pressed the state with the probation officer's support to resolve it without a hearing. The result was reinstatement to probation with in-person reporting and no additional jail.