Posted on September 28, 2026 in Domestic Violence

When both people in a domestic dispute tell police they were the victim, Tennessee law does not allow officers to simply arrest everyone and let the court figure it out. The officer is required to try to determine who the primary aggressor was. In practice, officers get this wrong often enough that people who were defending themselves end up in handcuffs. 

If this happened to you in 2026, a Blount County, TN criminal defense lawyer can work to show the arrest named the wrong person.

How Do Police Decide Who to Arrest When Both People Claim to Be the Victim in a Domestic Dispute?

Officers decide who to arrest in a domestic dispute by identifying the primary aggressor, a process spelled out in Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-619. When two or more people are accused, or two or more people make complaints, the officer must try to determine who was the primary aggressor based on the circumstances of the incident.

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 Posted on September 14, 2026 in Sex Crimes

In Tennessee, you, the alleged victim, or both of you being drunk or high is not a good legal defense against a rape charge. If you are facing a rape charge in 2026, our Union County, TN criminal defense lawyer can help you understand what defenses may actually apply to your case.

Does Tennessee Law Make Being Drunk or High a Defense Against Rape Charges? 

Under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-11-503, being drunk or high does not automatically excuse someone from a rape or sexual assault charge. In other words, someone can’t defend themselves by simply saying they were intoxicated at the time.

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 Posted on August 22, 2026 in Criminal Defense

A murder case goes to federal court when certain things trigger federal power over the case. This can happen if the crime took place on federal property. It can also happen if the crime involved a federal official, or if it crossed state lines in a way tied to federal law.

If you're facing this type of charge in 2026, our Knox County, TN federal violent crimes defense lawyer can help you understand why your case is federal and what your options are.

What Makes a Murder Case Federal Rather Than State?

Most murder cases are prosecuted under state law. However, under 18 U.S.C. Section 1111, murder is a federal offense when it occurs within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Under 18 U.S.C. Section 7, this can include certain federal lands and other places under federal jurisdiction. Other federal laws can apply based on who was killed or the circumstances surrounding the crime.

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 Posted on August 11, 2026 in Criminal Defense

Tennessee has strict drug possession laws, with penalties that can range from a misdemeanor to a serious felony depending on the type and amount of the substance involved. It might surprise you how quickly a possession charge can escalate under Tennessee law, especially when the amount found suggests something more than personal use.

If you're facing a drug possession charge in 2026, our Knox County, TN, drug crimes defense lawyer can help you understand the charges against you and the defense options available to you.

How Does Tennessee Classify Drug Possession Charges?

Under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-418, simple possession of a controlled substance for personal use is generally charged as a Class A misdemeanor. This can carry up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. While this may sound less serious than a felony, a misdemeanor conviction still creates a criminal record that can affect employment, housing, and other areas of life.

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 Posted on July 24, 2026 in Criminal Defense

Stalking in Tennessee involves a pattern of repeated, unwanted contact or conduct directed at a specific person. This pattern must be something that would cause a reasonable person to feel afraid, harassed, or emotionally distressed. A single incident typically isn't enough to meet this legal standard. If you’ve been accused of stalking in 2026, you have the right to challenge that allegation. Our Knox County criminal defense lawyer can help you understand exactly what the state must prove.

How Does Tennessee Law Define Stalking?

Tennessee defines stalking under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-315. This law requires a "course of conduct" involving repeated contact or behavior directed at a specific person. This means the state generally can't build a stalking case around a single phone call, a single unwanted visit, or one uncomfortable interaction.

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 Posted on July 10, 2026 in Criminal Defense

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country, drawing millions of visitors every year from across Tennessee, North Carolina, and beyond. The park is federal land, which means federal laws apply there. A mistake that might result in a minor fine elsewhere can become a federal criminal charge inside park boundaries. If you or someone you love is facing a charge that occurred in the park in 2026, a Knox County, TN federal crimes defense lawyer can help you understand what you are up against.

What Are the Most Common Federal Offenses in the Great Smoky Mountains?

The National Park Service enforces a wide range of regulations inside the park under 36 C.F.R. Part 2, which governs resource protection, public use, and recreation in national parks. Violations of these regulations can result in federal charges ranging from minor infractions to serious misdemeanors and felonies.

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 Posted on June 25, 2026 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Implied consent means that by choosing to drive on Tennessee roads, you have already legally agreed to be tested for alcohol or drugs if you are arrested for DUI. You did not sign anything or say anything out loud. The law treats your decision to drive as an automatic agreement to be tested. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026 and have questions about implied consent or a test refusal, a Union County, TN DUI defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and your options.

Where Does Tennessee's Implied Consent Law Come From?

Tennessee's implied consent law is found in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-10-406. Under this law, anyone who drives on a public road in Tennessee is considered to have already agreed to a chemical test of their blood, breath, or urine if they are arrested for DUI.

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 Posted on June 08, 2026 in Sex Crimes

If you have been falsely accused of a sex crime in Tennessee, the most important thing you can do right now is contact a criminal defense attorney. Do not wait to see how things develop. Do not try to explain yourself to the police. And do not assume the truth will come out on its own.

Even a false accusation can result in criminal charges, arrest, and serious consequences if it is not aggressively challenged. The impact of a conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. A Knox County sex crime defense lawyer can step in right away to protect your rights and start building your defense before the situation gets worse.

Why Are False Accusations of Sex Crimes So Dangerous?

A false accusation does not feel any different to the legal system than a real one, at least not at first. Prosecutors rely heavily on the testimony of the accuser, and in many sex crime cases, there is no physical evidence at all. That means a case can move forward based almost entirely on one person's word against yours.

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 Posted on May 25, 2026 in Drug Crimes

Many people think drug trafficking means moving drugs across state borders. That is not how Tennessee law works. You can be charged with drug trafficking without ever leaving the state, and in some cases, without ever making a sale. If you are facing this charge in 2026, our Anderson County, TN drug crimes defense lawyer can help you understand what you are up against and what you can do about it.

What Does Tennessee Actually Call Drug Trafficking?

Under T.C.A. Section 39-17-417, it is a crime in Tennessee to knowingly do any of the following with a controlled substance:

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 Posted on May 10, 2026 in Criminal Defense

As a student at the University of Tennessee, you have the same constitutional rights as any other citizen. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects everyone in this country from unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials. That protection applies whether you are in your dorm room, in your car, or walking across campus. But knowing your rights and knowing how to protect them in real time are two different things. If you are a UT student facing criminal charges that started with a search in 2026, a Union County, TN criminal defense lawyer can help you understand whether your rights were violated and what can be done about it.

What Does the Fourth Amendment Actually Protect You From?

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents. In practical terms, this means that police generally cannot search your person, your belongings, your car, or your living space without either a valid warrant or a recognized legal exception. If a search is conducted without a warrant and no exception applies, the evidence found during that search may be thrown out of court.

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