Criminal Defense

If you think back to the incident that led to your arrest, there may be various things you wish you would have done or said differently. You may even regret some of the choices you made that day, such as allowing yourself to be drawn into the altercation that took...

Distracted driving in Tennessee is still a problem even with a state law that bans the practice of texting and driving. It appears that many motorists believe that police officers won’t stop and cite them for breaking anti-texting rules. Also, a “texting” ticket does...

One prominent advocate of a law enforcement program that targets illegal immigrants lauds its alleged upsides, which he says include the positive results it will bring by lessening overcrowded jails and reducing outlays that local governments spend in crime-fighting...

The witness -- a seemingly solid citizen with no overt reason to fabricate or otherwise manipulate material fact -- swears to tell the truth and then points squarely at the seated defendant, telling a jury panel and crowded courtroom that he personally witnessed that...

It goes without saying that the political reality that daily plays out on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures across the country is marked far more by partisanship and rancor these days than it is by any shared sense of purpose or camaraderie. Still, there are a...

When the below-cited incident occurred last year, those involved likely never considered that it would blow up to writ-large proportions, result in the resignation of a Nashville General Sessions judge and bring about a fair amount of criticism for the city's police...

A recent national news focus on the federal government's civil asset forfeiture program states that its main objective "is to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises." By all indications, though, what special IRS agents seem to be most excelling as is not...

The writer of a recent opinion letter inked for a national media publication would likely nod in instant agreement with comments we prominently make on our criminal defense website at the long-established Law Offices of Thomas T. Overton in Nashville. We note therein...

Historically, Americans have collectively been more than a bit protective in safeguarding what they regard as fundamental personal liberties. Put this way: It's not the state's business where you go to church -- or even if you go at all. No law enforcer should ever...

Under the following scenario, who is more likely to be looked at in disapproving fashion by a judge or jury: a well-seasoned adult with a long string of criminal convictions who is now facing charges relating to a stolen car or a hasn't-shaved-yet teen offender with...