Nashville Criminal Attorney Blog

Introduction You’re walking down the street with a backpack. A police officer stops you and asks: “Mind if I look inside your bag?” Or maybe you’re a passenger in a car, and your backpack is sitting on the back seat. Can the police search it? The answer depends on one word that comes up over…

Introduction You get pulled over. The officer walks up to your window. Before saying a word, you reach for your phone and begin recording. Can you do that? Can the officer order you to stop? Can police take your phone? These are questions I get all the time, and the answers are important. The Short…

Introduction One of the most common statements detectives make is: “You’re not a suspect.” Or: “We just want to hear your side of the story.” Or my personal favorite: “You’re not in any trouble.” If you’re hearing those words, your guard is probably coming down. That’s exactly why you should be careful. The Short Answer…

Introduction A detective calls and says: “If you’re telling the truth, you’ll take a polygraph.” Or maybe: “This is your chance to clear your name.” Many people immediately think: “I’m innocent. Why wouldn’t I take it?” That may be one of the biggest mistakes you can make during a criminal investigation. The Short Answer In…

Introduction One of the most common things I hear people say is: “I don’t have anything to hide.” Then an officer asks: “Do you mind if I take a look?” And the person says: “Sure.” That single word has caused countless people legal problems they never saw coming. So let’s answer the question: If you…

Introduction Your phone may contain more evidence than your home, your car, and your office combined. Think about what’s on it: So if police want to see your text messages, can they simply scroll through your phone? Or do they need a warrant? The Short Answer Generally speaking: 👉 Yes, police need a warrant to…

Introduction One of the most frustrating conversations I have with clients goes something like this: “My case was dismissed. Why is it still showing up?” People assume that if charges are dismissed, the record automatically disappears. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works. And if you don’t take the right steps, a dismissed charge can…

Introduction I hear this all the time: “David, I didn’t do anything wrong. Why wouldn’t I talk to the police?” It’s a fair question. In fact, it’s one of the most common misconceptions in criminal law. Many innocent people believe that talking to the police will clear everything up. Unfortunately, that’s not always how criminal…

Introduction Most people know police can sometimes use deception during investigations. But what about search warrants? Can an officer lie to a judge to get a warrant? And if they do, what happens to the evidence they find? The answer could determine whether an entire criminal case survives. The Short Answer No. Police officers cannot…

Introduction You throw something in the garbage. It’s on the curb waiting for pickup. A few days later, police show up with a search warrant. How did that happen? The answer may be sitting in your trash can. One of the most surprising search-and-seizure rules in America involves garbage. The Short Answer Yes. In many…