Posted on February 14, 2026 in Criminal Defense

A campus fight can become a felony assault when the situation involves certain factors. What may start as an argument can quickly turn into a criminal case with long-term consequences.

Recent data shows that assault and battery make up nearly 20 percent of campus violent crimes. Clearly, physical confrontations remain a real concern on college campuses.

If you are facing allegations in 2026, it is normal to feel anxious about your future and unsure of what happens next. Our Oak Ridge, TN assault defense lawyer helps individuals understand the charges they may be facing and what options are available.

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 Posted on February 05, 2026 in Drug Crimes

Being charged with a drug crime is especially frustrating if the drugs were not yours. A common misconception is that you cannot be arrested unless the substances were found directly on you, but reality can be more complicated than that.

Drug enforcement remains active nationwide. According to FBI data, there were 736,469 arrests in the United States for drug abuse violations in 2024, including 32,971 arrests in Tennessee alone.

As of 2026, prosecutors often rely on legal theories that allow charges even when drugs are discovered in shared spaces like cars, homes, or backpacks. If you are facing drug charges, our Knox County, TN drug crimes defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and what steps to take next.

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 Posted on January 29, 2026 in DUI/DWI/BUI

A DUI charge can affect more than your driving record. For college students in Tennessee, it can also raise concerns about academic standing, campus discipline, and future opportunities. This issue affects many students directly. National traffic safety data often show that drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 make up the largest share of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes, and men are far more likely than women to be involved in these cases. That age range overlaps closely with the traditional college population.

As of 2026, Tennessee colleges and universities continue to enforce student conduct codes that may apply even when an arrest happens off campus. If you are facing a DUI charge, our Knox County, TN DUI defense lawyer can help. While a DUI does not automatically remove a student from college, it can trigger serious consequences if it is not handled carefully.

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 Posted on January 15, 2026 in Assault

Many people are surprised by how much evidence stores collect in retail theft cases. Today, stores use several tools to watch for theft and document what happens. As of 2026, retailers in Tennessee often work closely with police when they believe a theft occurred.

Retail theft is a growing issue. In a 2025 report, the National Retail Federation found that shoplifting incidents increased nationwide. Because of this, many stores have expanded their security systems and recordkeeping. As a result, theft cases are often supported by video records, written reports, and witness statements.

If you are accused of shoplifting and facing possible criminal charges, an Oak Ridge, TN retail theft lawyer can help you understand what evidence may be used and how it can be challenged.

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 Posted on January 07, 2026 in University of Tennessee Knoxville College Students

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, can discipline students for underage drinking arrests that happen off campus. An arrest does not have to occur at a university event or on school property for UTK to take action.

In a 2025 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, underage drinking was still reported as common among college-age individuals. As of 2026, UTK continues to enforce its student conduct rules alongside local criminal laws. These processes are separate, but they can affect each other.

If you are a UTK student facing an off-campus underage drinking arrest, a Knox County, TN underage drinking defense lawyer at The Baker Law Firm can help. We will walk you through how the criminal case and university discipline may overlap and what you can do to defend yourself.

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 Posted on December 30, 2025 in Sex Crime Charges

Rape charges in Tennessee can sometimes be reduced, but it depends on the facts and the strength of the evidence. Reductions are not automatic. Prosecutors must prove every part of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence does not fully support the charge, a reduction may be possible.

If you are facing rape allegations, our Knox County, TN rape defense lawyer can help you understand how Tennessee law applies to your case.

How Does Tennessee Law Define Rape?

Rape is defined under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-503. In simple terms, the law involves unlawful sexual penetration without consent. It also covers situations involving force, coercion, or when a person cannot legally give consent.

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 Posted on December 20, 2025 in University of Tennessee Knoxville College Students

DUI charges are always serious, whether brought against an adult or a student at the University of Tennessee. The consequences of a student DUI are generally much more serious than most people think. When a student is charged with a DUI, not only will he or she face the criminal consequences associated with those charges, but a DUI can trigger university discipline and affect academic standing, housing, internships, scholarships, and even future job prospects.

In short, for a UT student facing DUI charges, the consequences can alter the student’s future in ways they could not have imagined. If your student is facing DUI charges, it is crucial that you obtain the best Grainger County criminal defense lawyer who will aggressively fight the charges while also assisting with the university investigation. The more you understand the long-term risks of a DUI conviction for your student, the better chance you have of limiting the damage.

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 Posted on December 04, 2025 in Assault

In Tennessee, a simple argument or physical confrontation can quickly escalate into criminal charges. Many people are shocked to find how quickly state prosecutors can escalate a simple allegation into a crime that carries years in prison. Virtually all it takes to escalate simple assault charges into aggravated assault charges (a felony carrying years in prison, mandatory minimums, and a permanent criminal record) are actions interpreted as "extremely reckless."

Even a minor injury or the display of an object that could be used as a weapon can transform a misdemeanor into a felony. The line between assault and aggravated assault is much thinner than most people expect and is often misunderstood. If you are facing aggravated assault charges, it is essential that you speak to an experienced Dandridge, TN criminal defense attorney who will fight for your future.

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 Posted on November 29, 2025 in University of Tennessee Knoxville College Students

A theft charge can hit a Tennessee college family fast, with little warning. One minute, your student is settling into dorm life; the next, he or she is being questioned by campus police or charged criminally – something that can alter his or her future. College life is hectic, and misunderstandings happen, but when an item goes missing in a dorm or elsewhere on campus, the campus police may act aggressively to file theft charges.

Even the allegations of theft can jeopardize your child’s scholarships, housing, sports eligibility, and even immigration status for international students. Even when the value is relatively low, Tennessee treats theft as a serious offense, and the combination of criminal court and university discipline can overwhelm families.

If your son or daughter has been accused of theft, the steps you take now can make all the difference in the outcome. A highly experienced Anderson County, TN criminal defense attorney can immediately begin building a strong defense on your child’s behalf to minimize the current and future damage.

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 Posted on November 16, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Facebook Marketplace generates billions in sales ($30 billion in 2024) and boasts a massive user base, comprising more than one billion active users, or approximately 491 million shoppers per month. Facebook Marketplace and other similar online marketplaces have created a booming second-hand economy, but have also opened the door to criminal charges when theft by false pretenses or theft by deception occurs.

Unfortunately, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and other peer-to-peer platforms have their share of scammers. However, in some cases, what most people would see as a simple misunderstanding, a defective item dispute, or a broken agreement can quickly escalate into a criminal investigation.

In the state of Tennessee, allegations of deception – even if they are only allegations – can result in felony theft charges, arrest warrants, and restitution orders. A highly experienced Dandridge, TN criminal defense attorney can protect your rights while pushing to classify the case as a civil matter to help you avoid criminal exposure altogether.  

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