Probation allows a person to remain in the community while following conditions ordered by the court. Those conditions may include reporting to a probation officer, submitting to drug testing, completing treatment, paying court obligations, avoiding new criminal charges, or following restrictions on travel and contact.
View PostTennessee’s theft statute generally involves knowingly obtaining or exercising control over property without the owner’s effective consent and with the intent to deprive the owner of it. Burglary allegations generally involve entering a building, habitation, or other structure without consent and with the intent to commit a crime inside. The exact classification depends on the location, alleged conduct, value of property, and other circumstances. Tennessee law separately addresses burglary and aggravated burglary.
View PostCriminal cases increasingly involve digital information. Text messages, direct messages, social media posts, location data, photos, videos, online searches, and files stored in the cloud can all become part of an investigation. More recently, artificial intelligence tools have added another layer of complexity, including AI-generated images, altered audio or video, and computer-assisted police reports.
View PostA first shoplifting charge can feel minor at first, but it can still create real problems for your record, your job, and your future. In Tennessee, shoplifting is often charged as theft, and the penalties depend on the value of the property involved.
View PostThe National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers recently highlighted the “trial penalty,” which refers to the often significant difference between the sentence offered in a plea bargain and the sentence a person may face after trial. NACDL says that at the federal level, trial sentences are roughly three times higher than plea sentences on average, and in some cases the gap can be much larger.
View PostIf police find drugs in a car you are riding in, you may still face criminal charges even if the drugs were not sitting in your hands or in your pocket. In Wilson County, Tennessee, officers and prosecutors often look at who knew about the drugs, who had control over them, and where they were located in the vehicle. That means passengers can sometimes get pulled into a case even when the situation seems unclear at first.
View PostA probation violation in Wilson County can put your freedom at risk even if you already served part of your sentence. When a judge gives probation, it comes with conditions, and the court expects those conditions to be followed closely. Missing appointments, failing a drug test, not paying court-ordered fees, leaving the area without permission, or picking up a new charge can all lead to a violation allegation.
View PostDigital privacy is no longer just a tech issue. It affects everyday people in Lebanon, TN and throughout Wilson County, TN any time police, prosecutors, or even private companies try to access messages, location data, photos, or other information stored on a phone or in the cloud.
View PostA domestic assault charge in Wilson County can affect much more than your court date. It can affect your criminal record, housing, job, firearm rights, and family relationships almost immediately.
View PostIn most cases, police cannot search the contents of your phone during a traffic stop in Tennessee without a warrant. Your phone has strong privacy protections, and officers usually need your consent or a very narrow emergency reason before they can look through it.
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