For an individual charged with a crime, one of the biggest concerns will be what happens to them if convicted. The basic outcomes of a conviction are either a sentence of jail time, or an alternative sentence such as probation. In Tennessee, qualified offenders will be eligible for probation, meaning they can avoid going to…
The federal sentencing guidelines determine the punishment for crimes committed under U.S. federal law. The guidelines are used in all United States federal courts throughout the country. State laws do not apply. If you have been charged with a federal crime in Memphis or West Tennessee, your case will be heard at the federal district…
On July 1, 2012, a new law will take place in Tennessee that governs expungements of criminal convictions. This is good news for individuals that have been convicted of certain criminal offenses, as they now may be able to have those convictions removed from their record. Previously, convictions of any kind could not be expunged. …
Tennessee sexual offenses are codified in Title 39 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, Chapter 13, Part 5. Sex crimes are among the most serious offenses and many carry lifetime consequences. Tennessee sex offenses range from traditional person-to-person crimes such as rape or sexual battery, to internet-based crimes such as exploitation of a minor. If you…
When I tell people I’m a criminal lawyer, they usually laugh and say “I hope I never have to call you!” I know what they mean. You can put criminal attorneys in the same category as air conditioning repairmen, cardiologists, and firefighters. People come to us only when there’s a serious problem that needs to be…
Tennessee law separates criminal offenses into either misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanors are punishable up to 11 months and 29 days and are considered less serious than felonies, although any criminal offense should be taken seriously and handled properly. Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors, and in some cases much more serious. The minimum punishment is one…
