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How Can You Defend Against a Criminal Offense in Tennessee?

Posted on in Criminal Defense

Campbell County criminal defense attorney

Most states have requirements that prosecutors must meet before convicting a defendant for a criminal offense, and Tennessee is no different. If you face criminal charges, working with an attorney who has a rich understanding of and deep experience with Tennessee criminal law is vital if you hope to have potential penalties reduced or dropped altogether. You can develop a better understanding of how to prepare a defense by understanding all of the conditions that prosecutors must meet. With that said, it is always best to have an attorney help you pinpoint precisely how to build and present your defense to be protected by the law. 

Tennessee Criminal Law

According to Tennessee criminal law, no individual may be convicted for a criminal offense unless the following can be proven by the prosecution:

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What Are the Consequences of Vandalism Charges in Tennessee?

Posted on in Criminal Defense

Campbell County criminal defense attorney vandalism

While vandalism usually does not warrant the same degree of punishment as other crimes, it is still important to understand what is at stake if you face vandalism charges. Vandalism is defined as the intentional destruction or harm to another person’s property. Therefore, if you face charges for something that you did unwittingly or accidentally, you could potentially build a strong defense. If you are ever accused of defacing property, you should seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to develop your case and protect your rights.

Tennessee Vandalism Laws

Vandalism laws vary from state to state, but one of the distinctions in Tennessee law is that depending on the value of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the crime, vandalism can be a felony offense. However, most of the time, vandalism is a misdemeanor. We gave a brief idea of what ‘damaging’ a person’s property could be defined as, but there are a few more ways to define intentional property damage:

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New Tennessee Law Bans Phone Use While Driving

Posted on in Criminal Defense

Campbell County traffic violations defense attorney

The staggering amount of car accidents caused by distracted driving in Tennessee pushed lawmakers to institute a new law on July 1, 2019 that bans any kind of cell phone use while driving. Understanding this new law can help you avoid a costly ticket in addition to a serious crash. In some cases, the penalties for using your phone behind the wheel can carry costly fines and the loss of driving privileges. Regardless of the charges, it is critical that you present an aggressive defense to the court with the guidance of an experienced traffic violations attorney.

Distracted Driving Statistics in Tennessee

For the three years leading up to 2019, distracted driving by Tennessee motorists caused more than 24,000 crashes annually. Tennessee also had the highest fatality rate of any state for distracted driving in that time period. The national average was 1.49 fatalities per 10 billion vehicle miles, while Tennessee’s rate reached 7.2 deaths for that same mileage.

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What Happens When Police Are Called for a Domestic Violence Case?

Posted on in Criminal Defense

Campbell County domestic violence defense attorney

The laws that determine police protocol when they are called to a domestic violence incident differ from state to state, and the procedure is particularly unique in Tennessee. It is worth understanding how police are told to act when they arrive on the scene and how this could affect your case if you are accused of domestic abuse. Most importantly, the consequences that you face as a result of domestic violence allegations can be severe. Therefore, it is crucial that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to make sure your rights were not violated during the arrest and help you determine the best strategy for defending against these charges.

Police Procedures for Domestic Abuse in Tennessee

When the police are called in for a domestic violence incident, they are highly encouraged to arrest the “primary aggressor.” If an officer thinks that he or she has probable cause to determine who may be the primary aggressor, it is a near certainty that an arrest will be made, regardless of the desires of the alleged victim. Police will also not assess the willingness of the alleged victim or other witnesses to testify in judicial proceedings.

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How Does Tennessee Punish Drivers Who Do Not Use a Turn Signal?

Posted on in Criminal Defense

Campbell County traffic violations defense attorney

According to a recent survey done by TicketSchool.com, more than 50 percent of the driving community admits to not using a turn signal when changing lanes or making turns. Some of the reasons motorists gave for this were because they did not think they had enough time or simply because they did not want to use their signals. This is dangerous driving behavior, which can lead to collisions that result in serious injuries or even wrongful death. Drivers can also be pulled over and issued a traffic citation if a police officer sees the motorist failing to signal. The act can also be considered reckless driving -- which is a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee -- because not signaling in which direction you are driving puts other motorists on the road in danger.

Why Is it Important to Use a Turn Signal?

Drivers cannot read each other’s minds on the road, and therefore, no one knows when someone is planning to change lanes or make a turn. That is why it is required by Tennessee law to use a signal before making a turn or decreasing speed suddenly. Not only is this a requirement under the traffic laws, but it is a common courtesy on the road. Using a turn signal can prevent:

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