Domestic violence can carry up to a year in jail, in addition to steep fines, probation, mandatory batterer’s intervention programs, and more. The judicial consequences are not to be understated. They may create significant hardship. Yet, many of the harsh consequences of a domestic violence conviction are extrajudicial. The financial hardship commonly associated with a domestic violence conviction is not ordered by a judge. The court concerns itself with the formal legal punishments you will face with little regard for how your overall life plan may be affected.

Even upon the termination of your sentence, the collateral consequences may continue to follow you. This is why it is of such great importance to be represented by a skilled criminal defense attorney, who may be able to act to reduce or dismiss your charges. 

Understanding the Societal Consequences of Domestic Violence Charges

If you are facing domestic violence charges, it is important to understand and acknowledge the likely collateral consequences of a conviction. If you ultimately face conviction, you may experience societal consequences such as: 

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There are many different ways that police officers can become their own worst enemies when it comes to investigating a DUI and helping prosecutors in securing a conviction. There is an enormous set of rules that officers need to follow, ranging from constitutional rights they cannot violate to procedural details they must follow to avoid contaminating a chemical test. Sometimes the police make their fatal error before even pulling a suspect over.

A trained attorney can review police records, body camera footage, and chemical testing data to spot any potential errors that could invalidate part of the evidence. Your attorney will likely also ask you a series of questions about your interactions with the police to look for signs of an error. 

Mistakes That Could Save You From a DUI Conviction

Quite a few DUI convictions have been avoided because the police did something wrong on their end. Fatal mistakes your lawyer might find include: 

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You may have heard that crime drops significantly during the Super Bowl, and other major sporting and entertainment events. Perhaps someone even brought this oft-repeated rumor up at your Super Bowl party the other day. The idea is that everyone is busy watching the big game instead of committing crimes. There is some truth to this, according to a study at Berkeley - but it may be misleading. If you wind up charged with a crime after your Super bowl celebration, it is important to reach out to a criminal defense attorney as soon as you are able. Your charges could haunt you long after the football festivities have been forgotten about. 

How Do Crime Patterns Change on Super Bowl Sunday?

A study conducted by doctoral students at Berkeley Law’s Jurisprudence and Social Policy program found that it is indeed true that crime drops during the Super Bowl by as much as 25%. However, this drop is only seen during the game itself - as in, while the event is actively being televised. The idea that fewer people are out committing crimes because they are occupied watching the game (and commercials) may hold some weight. 

However, this drop in crime during the game does not exactly mean that there is less crime overall on Super Bowl Sunday. Crimes related to drugs and prostitution tend to spike in the hours before the game. Quite a few people elect to consume illicit substances before watching the game. Another common crime just before the game involves the purchase of alcohol for or by minors, who may want to enjoy some beer during the big game. 

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Everyone makes mistakes. Sadly, a single split-second mistake can have consequences that impact the rest of your life if you end up with a criminal record. Even one conviction can limit your future prospects, including educational and career opportunities. Fortunately, in Tennessee there is a way for certain offenders to avoid having a conviction on their record through judicial diversion. Eligible defendants may be able to have their charges dismissed after completing a period of probation or meeting other conditions. If you are facing any criminal charge, it is in your best interest to speak to an attorney immediately. 

How Does Judicial Diversion Work?

To receive a judicial diversion, you must first plead guilty to your charges. Rather than sentencing you, the court “diverts” the charge for a specified amount of time. During that time, you will be required to follow certain conditions set by the court. Conditions may include things like submitting to drug testing, completing a class, and avoiding new charges. The conditions set will vary somewhat depending on your charges and the circumstances of your case. 

After you successfully complete the diversion period, you can return to court and ask the judge to enter an Order of Expungement, erasing the charges from your criminal record. 

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In July 2020, Virginia became the 16th state in the country to legalize medical marijuana. In April of this year, Virginia lawmakers passed another bill that legalized simple possession of marijuana and limited home growth. That law just went into effect on July 1.

But here in Tennessee, marijuana use--whether recreational or medical-- is still completely banned. Given the changes in Virginia’s law, many law enforcement agencies that border Virginia say they will be on the lookout for an increase in black market activity and an increase in driving under the influence of marijuana, as well as any transporting the drug across state lines.

Tennessee Marijuana Penalties

Tennessee is one of only 14 states that has not yet authorized medical marijuana, despite polls that show more than 80 percent of residents support the measure. The state is also one of only a handful where a conviction for simple possession of pot will result in jail time.

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