Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Have you been charged with a crime in Nashville, Tennessee? If so, you could be facing serious consequences. An experienced Nashville criminal defense attorney may be able to help you avoid a conviction.
The impact a criminal conviction can have on your life is undeniable. Not only will you face significant legal ramifications if convicted, but the negative publicity can be incredibly harmful to both you and your family, depending on what crime you’ve been accused of. Fortunately, you stand a better chance of avoiding a conviction when you work with a criminal defense attorney in Nashville.
At Raybin & Weissman, P.C., we are committed to helping those charged with crimes in Nashville clear their names and avoid the penalties associated with a conviction. Our criminal defense firm will work hard to build a case so powerful that the jury has no choice but to issue a not guilty verdict.
Read more about our criminal defense lawyers: David Raybin and Ben Raybin. They have the experience to help you.
Charges Our Nashville Criminal Attorneys Defend Against
You could potentially be charged with countless types of crimes under Nashville and Tennessee law. We are prepared to represent you no matter what crime you’ve been arrested for. Some of the most frequent crimes our clients have been charged with include the following:
- Drug Crimes – If you’ve were in possession of, distributing, and/or manufacturing any type of controlled substance, you will likely be facing a drug crime charge upon your arrest.
- Violent Crimes – This category of crimes will include kidnapping, manslaughter, aggravated assault, domestic violence, and homicide, among others.
- DUIs – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes fatal car accidents and serious accidents on a daily basis. If you’ve been charged with a DUI-related crime, you’ll likely need to retain experienced legal representation to move forward with your life.
- Sex Crimes – To be charged with a sex crime, such as rape, sexual assault, solicitation, prostitution, or indecent exposure, means you’ll be facing significant consequences if convicted.
- Burglary/Theft – You’ll be charged with theft and/or burglary if you are accused of entering someone else’s property with the intention of stealing or for actually stealing someone else’s property and/or belongings.
- White Collar Crimes – A white collar crime refers to nonviolent, financial crimes like embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, bribery, and fraud, to name a few.
These are just a few of the different crimes that our clients have been charged with. If the crime you were arrested for in Nashville was not listed above, get in touch with our firm to determine whether our highly trained criminal defense lawyer can represent you.
Criminal Penalties in Nashville, Tennessee
The criminal penalties you’ll face if convicted will depend on which type of crime you’ve been charged with. For instance, if you are convicted of a DUI, you’ll be facing fines of up to $15,000 and a license revocation of up to eight years. Or if you are convicted of a sex crime, you could be punished with up to thirty years in prison.
Violent crime convictions, such as murder, could result in a sentence of life imprisonment or even the death penalty if you are convicted of capital murder. In any case, working with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer in Nashville will ensure that you have an exceptional legal team on your side ready to do everything possible to get you acquitted of your charges.
Building Your Defense Strategy
Obtaining the not guilty verdict you need is far easier said than done. Thankfully, the burden of proof falls on the prosecutor to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime with which you’ve been charged.
This means it will be up to your criminal defense lawyer to put doubt in the minds of the judge and jury that you are, in fact, guilty of the crime you’ve been charged with. The prosecutor will need to prove that there is no other plausible explanation for the events that transpired.
Having a knowledgeable criminal attorney by your side will be pivotal at this point, as we’ll be able to offer the judge and jury alternative theories as to what occurred on the day in question. You can expect your criminal defense lawyer to examine the circumstances of your case in great detail to determine which defensive strategy will result in the most favorable outcome.
Your potential criminal defense will depend on which crime you’ve been arrested for. A sex crime charge, for example, will likely require that we argue that consent was given, whereas a violent crime charge may warrant a self-defense strategy.
In the event that you are facing a DUI charge in Nashville, we can argue that the results of the blood alcohol tests were invalid or inaccurate, and burglary crime defenses will often be most successful by arguing that you believed the property was yours and had no intention of committing a crime. Whether you are innocent or guilty is irrelevant for our purposes. You have the right to defend yourself to the fullest extent of the law, and the criminal defense lawyers at Raybin & Weissman, P.C. can help you do just that.
Reach Out to a Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you’re ready to regain control over your life and attempt to clear your name, schedule your free case evaluation with a highly regarded Nashville criminal defense lawyer at Raybin & Weissman, P.C. today. You can do so by filling out the brief contact form below or by giving our office a call at 615-256-6666.
Criminal Defense
Defending the Accused
The consequences for even being accused of a crime are high. Not only is it embarrassing to be arrested, but your relationship with your close friends and family members could be damaged as a result of a mere accusation.
No matter what type of crime you’re charged with, the penalties for a conviction are likely to be severe. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common crimes and the penalties associated with them.
Repeat DUI offenders could face a year in jail, pay fines of up to $15,000, and have their license suspended for as long as eight years. If you were charged with possession of marijuana, your punishments will depend on the amount of the drug in your possession. You could face jail time, fines, and a drug rehabilitation program.
Sex crimes like rape, statutory rape, sexual battery, and others usually result in felony charges. You could face anything from a Class E felony to a Class A felony, meaning one to sixty years in prison and between $3,000 and $50,000 in fines.
The most serious crime you can be charged with in Tennessee is first-degree murder. If convicted, you could face life in prison or even the death penalty.
The ramifications of a conviction in any of these crimes are severe and will change the course of your life if you don’t take action and get help from an experienced and qualified criminal defense lawyer in Nashville.
DUI
A DUI charge is not something you can simply ignore. A Nashville criminal lawyer can help you protect your freedom.
White Collar
Although financial crimes are nonviolent, they come with serious punishments. Call our firm for help building a bulletproof defense.
Drug Crimes
Possession or distribution of controlled substances could land you in prison if you don’t fight back with a lawyer’s help.
Sex Crimes
Few crimes are as severe as sex crimes. Speak with a Nashville attorney who can help you beat your charges.
Felony
Convicted felons face fines and years in prison. But you can save your future with a Nashville defense lawyer’s help.
Violent Crimes
Homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and manslaughter can put you in jail for years. A Nashville attorney can help you avoid punishment.
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor may seem like no big deal, but a conviction could forever alter your life. We’ll help you fight back.
Theft Burglary
A qualified lawyer can help you dodge serious, life-changing punishments when you’ve been charged with theft or burglary.
A Legal Ally in a Dark Time
Defending Your Rights and Freedom When You’re Accused of a Crime in Nashville
Our Nashville criminal lawyers are here to help you in your time of need. We can handle cases involving almost any criminal charge. Some common types of criminal cases we handle are discussed below:
DUI
To beat your Nashville DUI charge, your attorney may question the accuracy or administration of any chemical or breath tests.
Drug Crimes
Defenses for drug crimes will depend on the type of drug involved and how much you’re accused of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing.
White Collar Crimes
For a white collar crime defense, we may work to show that you did not intend to commit the crime at hand or that you have been wrongfully accused.
Sex Crimes
Defenses for sex crimes often involve arguing about the circumstances of the incident in question. Your attorney will assess your situation and devise a solid defense.
Violent Crimes
Your defensive strategy for a violent crime could be that you were acting to defend yourself or someone else.
Theft/
Burglary
A couple of defense options for theft and burglary include believing that the property was yours or arguing that you didn’t intend to commit a crime.
Nashville Criminal Defense FAQ
When you have been arrested and charged with a crime, you more than likely have many questions about what is going to happen next with your case. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of some of the questions we are most frequently asked by our Nashville criminal defense clients. If we haven’t answered your question below, please schedule your case evaluation today.
Can I get my record expunged after a criminal conviction in Nashville?
It’s possible that your crime will be eligible for expunction, but not every criminal record will meet the eligibility requirements. If your charges were dismissed or you were charged with a misdemeanor or low-level felony, then you may be able to have your record expunged.
However, since more dangerous and violent crimes are not likely to be expunged, it is in your best interest to do everything you can to dodge a conviction.
How much will it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Nashville?
That depends on the type of crime you’ve been charged with. Our firm sets rates based on the type of crime you’ve been charged with and how complicated your case will be. You’ll have a better idea of how much you can expect to pay out of pocket for your legal representation after your free consultation.
What is a “knock and talk” in criminal cases?
A knock and talk technique is when a law enforcement officer attempts to talk their way into your home. Typically, they’ll knock on your door and pretend to be your apartment manager or the mailing company (for example) so that you open the door.
This occurs when officers don’t have the probable cause needed to obtain a search warrant. When you open the door, you risk police pressuring you into consenting to a search of your home, or even having an officer say that they suspect you are in possession of illegal weapons or drugs in your home.
For this reason, you should never answer the door when you don’t know the knocker personally, and contact your criminal defense lawyer the moment that you’ve been subjected to a knock and talk so that you are protected moving forward.
Can’t I just represent myself or use a public defender?
You do have the right to represent yourself or use a public defender, but you probably do not have the legal experience or resources to adequately represent yourself. Public defenders, on the other hand, handle back-breaking caseloads, meaning they can’t always give your case the attention it needs. A private Nashville defense lawyer can give your case undivided attention.
How long will a conviction stay on my record in Tennessee?
Both misdemeanor and felony convictions can remain on your record for the rest of your life. However, if you were convicted of certain types of crimes, you may be able to have your record expunged five years after you’ve completed your sentence. Your eligibility will depend on the circumstances surrounding your charges.
Why should I fight a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor conviction will remain on your record for a significant period of time, even if it turns out that you’re eligible for an expunction. Employers and others can see these marks on your record, and that can have serious effects on your life. That’s not to mention potential jail time and financial penalties. Fighting a misdemeanor charge may be the best way to avoid these consequences.
If I’m guilty, should I bother fighting my criminal charges?
Whether you are guilty or not, you have the right to defend yourself from criminal charges. Even if you think your situation is hopeless, a qualified Nashville criminal attorney may see a hole in the prosecution’s case against you. Even if it’s impossible to beat your charges entirely, it may be possible to reduce them or seek lighter penalties.