When a young person makes a mistake that could lead to legal trouble, it is vital to understand how to respond to the situation in order to protect his or her future. Charges of underage drinking can ruin a reputation, compromise career opportunities and even affect...
Consent to Examine Mobile Phone Was Valid
Consent is one of the specific exceptions to the general requirement that law enforcement authorities must have a valid search warrant prior to a constitutional search (where there is also a reasonable expectation of privacy). Under Tennessee law, a person has a...
Tennessee football player arrested for drunk driving
Charles Mosely, a freshman Tennessee football player, was recently arrested for drunk driving. He was charged with a DUI after police pulled him over for driving too fast in a 55 mph zone. According to the report, the smell of marijuana was present in his...
Crimes Targeting Different Victims are Never Incidental
A single criminal case may include different victims, multiple victims, and/or multiple offenses. This can complicate the analysis of double jeopardy questions and due process when attempting to distinguish which convictions should merge and which are separate...
Tennessee has stiff penalties for drunk driving
In Tennessee, a conviction of driving while intoxicated will remain on your permanent criminal record without possibility for expungement. This can prove quite difficult for persons who are attempting to start over and seek better life circumstances. Potential...
Law enforcement to combat drunk driving over holiday weekend
Tennessee law enforcement is preparing to increase vigilance over the course of the Independence Day holiday weekend. It is hoped that the increase in DUI enforcement will dissuade drivers from getting behind the wheel while impaired. This will be done with...
Conviction Affirmed Despite Use of Evidence of Other Crimes
Generally, evidence of other crimes or bad acts is not admissible in a criminal trial in Tennessee when its only purpose would be to prove conforming conduct (under the reasoning that a jury should consider only the offense charged and not other bad things the accused...
A failed sobriety test will lead to arrest, even for boaters
During the summer months, there is usually an increase in drunk driving arrests as more people are driving and traveling. However, Tennessee readers should note that not only will drunk driving result in an arrest, but drunk boating will as well. In fact, authorities...
First-Time DUI: Can You Keep It Off Your Record?
One of the most serious consequences of a DUI conviction is a lifetime criminal record. If you plead guilty to the charges, anyone who looks up your criminal record in the future will see that you have a conviction for drunk driving. It could affect your employment,...
Accuracy of Thirteenth Juror Ruling is Not Reviewable
The concept of the "thirteenth juror" rule in Tennessee criminal law refers to the trial court judge's responsibility to consider the weight of the evidence from a criminal trial after the jury has returned a guilty verdict. If the judge then disagrees that the weight...
