Introduction You’re riding in a friend’s car. The police pull the vehicle over. The officer walks up and asks: “Can I see your ID?” You weren’t driving. You didn’t commit a traffic violation. So do you have to identify yourself? This is one of the most misunderstood issues in criminal law. The Short Answer Generally…
Continue reading ›Introduction Tennessee is a gun-friendly state. But what happens when you are lawfully carrying a firearm and get pulled over? Do you have to tell the officer? Can police take your gun? Can carrying a firearm turn a routine traffic stop into a criminal investigation? These are questions I hear all the time. The Short…
Continue reading ›Introduction You miss your court date. Maybe you forgot.Maybe you thought it would be reset.Maybe you were scared to go. Now you’re wondering: “What happens if I miss court in Tennessee?” The answer can be serious — and it can happen fast. The Short Answer If you fail to appear in court in Tennessee: 👉…
Continue reading ›Introduction A lot of people think probation means: “I avoided jail.” But probation is not freedom. It’s supervision — with rules. And if you violate those rules in Tennessee, the consequences can be serious and immediate. The Short Answer If you violate probation in Tennessee, the court can: In some cases, you can be taken…
Continue reading ›Introduction You see a police encounter happening. Maybe it involves you.Maybe it involves someone else. You pull out your phone and start recording. Can police stop you? Can you legally record officers in Tennessee? This issue comes up constantly — especially in the age of bodycams, livestreams, and viral videos. The Short Answer Yes —…
Continue reading ›Introduction You get pulled over. The officer walks up to your car. Now you’re wondering: “Do I have to roll my window all the way down?” It sounds like a small question — but during a traffic stop, small decisions matter. And many people are surprised by what the law actually requires. The Short Answer…
Continue reading ›Introduction One of the most common questions in criminal court is: “Can the victim just drop the charges?” In Tennessee domestic assault cases, the answer surprises a lot of people. Because once charges are filed, the case no longer belongs to the alleged victim. It belongs to the State of Tennessee. The Short Answer No…
Continue reading ›Introduction You’re pulled over. Then suddenly another officer arrives with a K-9 unit. Now you’re wondering: “Can they just walk a drug dog around my car?” In Tennessee, the answer is generally yes — but there are important constitutional limits many people don’t understand. The Short Answer Yes — police can generally conduct a dog…
Continue reading ›Introduction One of the most common questions in criminal court is: “Can the victim just drop the charges?” In Tennessee domestic assault cases, the answer surprises a lot of people. Because once charges are filed, the case no longer belongs to the alleged victim. It belongs to the State of Tennessee. The Short Answer No…
Continue reading ›Introduction You post a photo. A video.A message.A joke.A livestream. Then months later, it shows up in court. Can police really use your social media against you in Tennessee? Yes — and people underestimate this every single day. The Short Answer Absolutely. Police and prosecutors routinely review social media during investigations. That includes: What you…
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