Nashville Criminal Attorney Blog

Introduction You’re driving down the highway with your legally owned handgun securely holstered on your hip or sitting in your glove compartment. Suddenly, blue lights flash behind you. As you pull over to the shoulder, your mind begins racing through high-stakes questions: “Do I have to announce to the officer immediately that I have a…

Introduction You’re sitting on the side of the road after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The officer asks a few questions, notices your smartphone lying on the passenger seat or center console, and casually says: “Pick up your phone, unlock it, and show me your text messages.” Your heart sinks. Modern smartphones…

Introduction Every major movement starts with a single defining phrase. For years, I kept hearing “1st Amendment auditors” on social media repeat the exact same line to police officers trying to interrogate them: “I don’t answer questions.” Then, in the middle of the night, God literally handed me that title. I woke up knowing it…

Introduction You see flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror, or you walk up on a tense police encounter happening on a public sidewalk. Your natural instinct is to pull out your smartphone, open the camera app, and hit record. As you hold up your phone, the officer turns to you, looks directly into the…

Introduction In March 2025, I made a decision that completely changed the trajectory of my career, my practice, and how millions of Americans understand their constitutional rights. I’ve been in the criminal justice system for nearly four decades. I’ve worked as a police officer on the streets, evaluated cases as a prosecutor, sat as a…

Introduction You’re sitting in a small, windowless room at the police precinct. The detective sits across from you, slides a thin file folder across the table, and says: “We found your DNA at the scene, and your buddy in the next room just signed a confession pointing the finger directly at you. If you come…

Introduction For years, thousands of Tennesseans walked into gas stations, vape shops, and smoke shops across the state to buy kratom. Whether used for energy, pain relief, or to manage anxiety, pure natural kratom was legally sold to adults 21 and older under state law. However, if you are still buying, selling, or carrying kratom…

Introduction You’ve been pulled over, put through a series of stressful roadside tests, and placed in handcuffs for suspicion of DUI. As the officer drives you to the police station or county jail, they hand you a laminated sheet of paper filled with dense legal fine print and say: “I need you to sign this…

Introduction You’ve had a few drinks at a restaurant or bar. Knowing you aren’t in shape to drive, you make what feels like the most responsible choice possible: you walk out to your car, climb into the seat, turn on the heater or radio, and decide to sleep it off until morning. An hour later,…

Introduction It is the absolute worst-case scenario. You were forced to draw your firearm and pull the trigger to save your life. The immediate threat is over, your heart is pounding out of your chest, and your adrenaline is surging. Now, you have to pick up the phone and dial 911. What you say in…