Posted on June 20, 2025 in Civil Rights

Across the nation, today’s challenges - including the rising cost of attending college, racial injustice, and international wars - have led to a resurgence of student activism. Universities are large enough to matter but small enough for protests actually to have an influence on. Furthermore, there are opportunities to organize on college campuses that are less common in off-campus communities.

In 2024, at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 11 students were arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration. All 11 were charged with trespassing and released without bail, although two students recently filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Board of Regents, University of Tennessee trustees, and UT System President Randy Boyd, citing civil rights violations.

If your son or daughter has been arrested for an on-campus protest, the very best step you can take to safeguard his or her future is to speak to a Knoxville, TN civil rights attorney who also has extensive experience in criminal offenses committed by college students.

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 Posted on June 10, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Conspiracy to commit a criminal offense can be almost as serious as the underlying crime. A conviction for felony conspiracy charges can harm your current life and your future. Because the consequences of a conspiracy conviction are so severe, it is important that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.

Your attorney can gather and preserve favorable evidence, interview witnesses, and ensure that valuable evidence is not lost. The outcome of criminal charges can sometimes be determined quickly after an arrest when you have skilled legal representation. Do not wait – if you are being questioned in relation to a crime or have been charged with a criminal offense, a Farragut, TN criminal defense lawyer can ensure you have the best chance of a positive outcome.   

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 Posted on May 23, 2025 in University of Tennessee Knoxville College Students

On March 18, 2025, a student at the University of Tennessee was arrested for slashing vehicle tires on campus. The young woman was charged with one count of felony vandalism, with additional charges pending. More than 40 vehicles were allegedly vandalized across the campus. The woman was taken to Knox County Detention Center for booking, where she mentioned to police that she had not taken her medication for mental health and "blacked out."  

Any felony charge is serious, perhaps even more so for a college student, as a felony conviction could adversely impact student loans, employment, and much more. If you are a University of Tennessee college student facing serious criminal charges – or the parent of a college student facing serious criminal charges – speaking to a Rutledge, TN criminal defense lawyer is advised.  

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 Posted on May 15, 2025 in Civil Rights

Members of the Tennessee House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that would transfer the investigation of discrimination complaints to the Attorney General, dissolving the Tennessee Human Rights Commission in the process. The Human Rights Commission is a nonpartisan, independent agency that has existed in the state for six decades.

The agency is responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in public accommodations, housing, and employment, and for investigating discrimination claims against the state of Tennessee. The Commission has 33 staff members, including investigators, attorneys, and other support personnel, and ensures that the state complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  

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 Posted on May 08, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A Nashville jury recently took less than one hour to find a 73-year-old woman guilty in the 2023 murder of her husband. At the time the woman was arrested, she told police she shot her husband because he cheated on her. She received an automatic sentence of life in prison upon her conviction. One of the jurors was later asked whether a person in his or her 70s should spend their last days in prison.

While the question is a valid one, most states make no distinction regarding age when sentencing a person to life in prison, although some states do offer "compassionate release" for elderly prisoners who are terminally ill. Some states, like Tennessee, have mandatory minimum sentences for certain violent crimes, although Tennessee also recently introduced a bill regarding sentence reduction "credits."

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 Posted on April 28, 2025 in Civil Rights

Legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly recently (April 21) passed a bill that allows a 25-foot "buffer zone" when citizens approach police officers across the state. Although the bill is similar to those passed in other states, many of those laws have already been struck down due to violations of the First Amendment. Many believe that the bill is less about the safety of police officers and more about making it more difficult for citizens to observe police misconduct.

Proponents of the new bill point to a rash of neo-Nazi activities in downtown Nashville last summer. The bill would criminalize "intentionally approaching within 25 feet" a law enforcement officer who is engaging in his or her duties. The bill adds misdemeanor penalties for trespassing and littering on private property when the intent is intimidation.  

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 Posted on April 08, 2025 in Criminal Defense

A 23-year-old man was recently wounded during an exchange of gunfire with two burglars who were attempting to break into his car outside his home on Smokey Hill Road in Antioch. According to the man’s home security videos, the car burglars arrived at the victim’s home at 4:08 a.m., but after trying to open the locked doors, they left.

Ten minutes later, they were back, more determined to get inside the vehicles. As one of the burglars broke the sunroof of a car and was about to get inside, two brothers from inside the home confronted the burglars, who fired shots at them and fled. Police caution victims of home or auto burglary about confronting suspects in this manner, as they often have weapons.

It can be a serious offense in Tennessee to commit or attempt to commit burglary of a vehicle or home. Speaking to an experienced Knoxville, TN criminal defense attorney can be very beneficial if you are facing burglary charges. There are certain defenses that can be used on your behalf to defend against your charges.  

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 Posted on April 04, 2025 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Last year, during the Memorial Day weekend holiday, six people in East Tennessee were arrested for boating under the influence (BUI), with one boating fatality occurring. Additionally, in Middle Tennessee, five injury accidents occurred on waterways, with five BUI arrests, and two BUI arrests were made in the West Tennessee area.

Tennessee residents enjoy water sports when the weather begins to warm, making boating a popular recreational activity. Unfortunately, some of those who are out enjoying a sunny day may find themselves charged with BUI for operating a boat or watercraft with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher – the same as for a DUI.

Since the BAC is the same as for driving under the influence, you may wonder whether the penalties are also the same. If you have been charged with BUI in Tennessee, take the charges very seriously and speak to an experienced Farragut, TN BUI attorney as quickly as possible.

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 Posted on March 27, 2025 in Assault

In Tennessee, you have the right to use force to defend yourself and others from an immediate threat. The prosecution is responsible for proving beyond a reasonable doubt that your actions were unjustifiable. If you are facing assault and battery charges because you acted with force in a situation where you felt unsafe or threatened, you need a Knox County, TN defense attorney to help protect your right to self-defense.

What Is Assault and Battery Under Tennessee Law?

Assault and battery were once separate charges, but Tennessee Code 39-13-101 effectively defines both as assault and includes three degrees:

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 Posted on March 18, 2025 in DUI/DWI/BUI

Field sobriety testing is standard procedure during a DUI stop. While failing does give officers probable cause, it does not guarantee a DUI conviction. Other factors come into play, and the potential penalties can vary. If you recently failed a field sobriety test during a DUI traffic stop, a Tennessee criminal defense attorney may be able to help you combat the charges and question the validity of the test results.

Could Something Else Cause Me To Fail Field Sobriety Tests?

Drinking is not the only way to fail a field sobriety test. A full assessment of the circumstances could produce other factors that may have resulted in an unwelcome outcome:

• Your environment: Uneven surfaces, certain weather conditions, and bad lighting can all affect your ability to follow instructions perfectly.

• Health conditions: A physical disability or injury could impact your ability to maintain balance or follow test rules.

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