If the State of Tennessee is charging you with a crime, you need a defense attorney. Handling your own case subjects you to various risks, including the risk that what you say will be used to convict you. As your lawyer, I will negotiate on your behalf, protecting you from things you might say that could come back to bite you. I am familiar with courtroom procedures, motion practice, the rules of evidence, sentencing guidelines, and how to research any issues that might be important for your case. My goal is to provide friendly, effective, and affordable representation to the citizens of middle Tennessee.
You should know that the vast majority of cases do not proceed to trial: they are either dismissed or resolved by a plea agreement. As your attorney, I will do my best to get your case dismissed pre-trial. If that is not possible, then I will negotiate on your behalf to identify the best deal the State is willing to make, which often involves pleading to a lesser charge. We will then have a thorough discussion of the likely outcome at trial, the likely sentence if you are convicted, and whether going to trial is worth the risk to you.
If you are not satisfied with the best plea deal offered by the State, then you can either "plead open" or go to trial. "Pleading open" means that you plead guilty without a deal and then have a sentencing hearing. This is a good idea when the evidence against you is overwhelming. Judges tend to be more lenient with defendants who admit guilt than with defendants who are found guilty at trial because that saves the Court the expense of a trial.
If there is no way to get your case dismissed, if the State will not offer a reasonable deal, and if the evidence against you is weak, it makes sense to exercise your right to a trial. Regardless of how your case plays out, I will be there for you every step of the way. The criminal justice system is complicated. Without an attorney to guide you it is easy to take a wrong turn. I would be honored to guide you through this difficult time.
I have represented clients in the following matters:
Aggravated Burglary
Aggravated Child Abuse/Neglect
Aggravated Riot
Aggravated Robbery
Assault
Attempted Murder
Auto Burglary
Burglary
Child Neglect (under 8)
Contempt of Court (especially from nonpayment of Child Support)
Conspiracy
Domestic Assault
Drug Delivery or Sale
Drug Possession
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving with License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Drug-Free School Zone Enhancement
Escape
Especially Aggravated Robbery
Evading Arrest (with Risk of Death to Bystanders)
Failure to Appear
Financial Responsibility Violation
Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender
Homicide (Including 1st Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and Voluntary Manslaughter)
Human Trafficking
Improper Registration Display
Initiation of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine
Introducing Contraband into a Penal Facility
Money Laundering
Patronizing Prostitution
Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Prohibited Weapons
Post Conviction Relief
Probation Violations
Promotion of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine
Promotion of Prostitution
Rape (Including Aggravated and Attempted Rape)
Reckless Driving
Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon
Resisting Stop, Frisk, Halt, Arrest or Search
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
Simple Possession
Solicitation to Commit Statutory Rape
Tag Light Violation
Theft Offenses
Underage Possession of Alcohol
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (by a convicted felon)
Vandalism
Worthless Check
If you think I might be a good fit for your needs, please contact me to discuss your case. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
You should know that the vast majority of cases do not proceed to trial: they are either dismissed or resolved by a plea agreement. As your attorney, I will do my best to get your case dismissed pre-trial. If that is not possible, then I will negotiate on your behalf to identify the best deal the State is willing to make, which often involves pleading to a lesser charge. We will then have a thorough discussion of the likely outcome at trial, the likely sentence if you are convicted, and whether going to trial is worth the risk to you.
If you are not satisfied with the best plea deal offered by the State, then you can either "plead open" or go to trial. "Pleading open" means that you plead guilty without a deal and then have a sentencing hearing. This is a good idea when the evidence against you is overwhelming. Judges tend to be more lenient with defendants who admit guilt than with defendants who are found guilty at trial because that saves the Court the expense of a trial.
If there is no way to get your case dismissed, if the State will not offer a reasonable deal, and if the evidence against you is weak, it makes sense to exercise your right to a trial. Regardless of how your case plays out, I will be there for you every step of the way. The criminal justice system is complicated. Without an attorney to guide you it is easy to take a wrong turn. I would be honored to guide you through this difficult time.
I have represented clients in the following matters:
Aggravated Burglary
Aggravated Child Abuse/Neglect
Aggravated Riot
Aggravated Robbery
Assault
Attempted Murder
Auto Burglary
Burglary
Child Neglect (under 8)
Contempt of Court (especially from nonpayment of Child Support)
Conspiracy
Domestic Assault
Drug Delivery or Sale
Drug Possession
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving with License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Drug-Free School Zone Enhancement
Escape
Especially Aggravated Robbery
Evading Arrest (with Risk of Death to Bystanders)
Failure to Appear
Financial Responsibility Violation
Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender
Homicide (Including 1st Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and Voluntary Manslaughter)
Human Trafficking
Improper Registration Display
Initiation of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine
Introducing Contraband into a Penal Facility
Money Laundering
Patronizing Prostitution
Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Prohibited Weapons
Post Conviction Relief
Probation Violations
Promotion of the Manufacture of Methamphetamine
Promotion of Prostitution
Rape (Including Aggravated and Attempted Rape)
Reckless Driving
Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon
Resisting Stop, Frisk, Halt, Arrest or Search
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
Simple Possession
Solicitation to Commit Statutory Rape
Tag Light Violation
Theft Offenses
Underage Possession of Alcohol
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (by a convicted felon)
Vandalism
Worthless Check
If you think I might be a good fit for your needs, please contact me to discuss your case. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
*Disclaimer*
A mere consultation does not create an Attorney-Client Relationship. An Attorney-Client Relationship forms upon the mutual signing of a Retainer Agreement, combined with payment of a Retainer Fee. All matters relating to fees are subject to negotiation and depend on the specifics of your case.
