2025 Articles
Facing a criminal charge is always difficult. If, however, you have been wrongfully accused, the situation can reach nightmarish proportions. The fact is that, under these circumstances, you may have legal recourse, and it could include suing the person who falsely accused you. The legalities of doing so, however, are...
Protective orders, or orders of protection, are put in place to shield victims from domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault and to prevent their abusers from contacting or coming near them. In other words, they play an important role in the legal system, and violating a protective order can lead...
If you are facing a criminal charge, you are in a difficult spot, but if you have prior convictions, the situation is that much more challenging. In fact, having a prior conviction can have serious sentencing implications. If this is the very difficult position you find yourself in, it’s time...
If you are facing a criminal charge that relates to anger issues, such as domestic violence or assault, anger management classes could potentially help you achieve a better outcome. Ultimately, anger can play a serious role in a range of criminal charges and demonstrating that you take responsibility for your...
Although Nashville offers tourists music, local landmarks, and a sought-after fashion scene, crime is no stranger to the Music City. In fact, Nashville prison populations are estimated to be among the highest in the nation, with violent crime topping the list. The court will consider various factors in determining a...
Most criminal offenses are subject to minimum and maximum sentences. Even so, certain circumstances, known as aggravating and mitigating factors, can have a great impact on your sentence length. These factors can persuade a judge to impose a minimum sentence (if you meet the criteria for one or more mitigating...
Tennessee law defines stalking as repeatedly harassing another person to the extent that the individual feels terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, or molested. A stalking charge requires that the alleged aggressor intentionally engage in the act. However, it is possible to face stalking allegations when you are merely checking on a...
Victims of stalking, threats of abuse or sexual assault, or domestic violence may have a restraining order issued against their aggressor. In Tennessee, this is known as an order of protection. An order of protection prohibits you from having contact with the alleged victim. Unfortunately, the restraining order remains on...
Anyone who prevents a police officer from performing their duties may be charged with obstruction of a police officer. Perhaps the most common example is resisting arrest. If found guilty, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee, punishable by up to six months in prison and a $500...
An expungement is the legal process of having a criminal offense removed from your record. Charges for most non-violent offenses, misdemeanors, and low-level felony offenses can be expunged, provided certain conditions are met. If an expungement is granted, assuming that you have no other pending charges, your fingerprints and photos will...
As Americans, we have certain rights that are provided to us in the U.S. Constitution. Many of these provide us protection if we are ever criminally prosecuted. If your constitutional rights were violated, this may be used as a defense to any criminal charges. In this blog, the Nashville criminal...
If you are operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater, then you will be found driving under the influence in Tennessee. Driving under the influence, or a DUI conviction, is punished severely, including jail time, fines, and license suspension. While the first DUI...
There is no denying that people have been using fake forms of ID for years. Police officers have been cracking down on fake IDs recently, even to the point of suspecting that legitimate forms of identification are falsified. If you have been stopped by a cop who believes that your...
Even though Tennessee law is clear when it comes to driving impaired, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or greater being considered driving under the influence, the same delineation does not apply to public intoxication. If you are intoxicated in public to a point in which others feel...
If you are charged with drug possession, you may be facing significant jail time and steep fines. Most people assume that to be charged with drug possession, the drugs must physically be on them. This is not true, and in many cases, you can be charged with drug possession even...
Possession of a controlled substance in Nashville can come with severe penalties, including extensive prison time and hefty fines. The penalties will vary based on the type of substance in your possession, the quantity, if you have a prior record, and if there are any aggravating circumstances (more on this...
If you have ever been convicted of a DUI in Tennessee, you likely had to deal with harsh penalties, even for a first offense. If you qualify for a restricted license, then you are permitted to drive to school, work, and medical appointments. The court may have ordered you to...
If you are found operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or greater in Tennessee, you will be charged with a DUI. Prosecutors must prove certain elements to charge someone with a DUI. In Tennessee, certain situations can permit a passenger to be charged with...
Under the state’s implied consent law, you must consent to breath, blood, or urine testing if an officer has reason to believe that you are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. A first-time refusal is subject to a one-year license suspension, increasing to a two-year suspension if your...
For a first DUI offense in Tennessee, your license will be suspended for one year, with subsequent offenses resulting in lengthier suspension periods. Given that you need to drive to work or drive your kids to school, having your driving privileges suspended may be infeasible. Thankfully, even if your license...
We all enjoy having a night out with friends, allowing us to relax from the hectic workday. Unfortunately, a night out with friends can prove deadly if you fail to take the proper precautions. If you are unsure if you are inebriated, watch out for signs of impairment. These may...
Yes. Tragically, you can be convicted of a sex crime in Nashville, TN, without physical evidence. Sex crimes typically come down to one person’s story against another’s, and convictions can happen based on someone’s word alone. If you’re accused, you cannot afford to assume the truth will sort itself out....
When your child is accused of a sex offense in Nashville, TN, the legal process moves quickly, and the impact on your family can be immediate, severe, and life-changing. These cases commonly come with serious consequences that follow a child for years, even though juvenile court is supposed to focus...
College students in Nashville, TN, face more than academic consequences when things go wrong. A citation or arrest on or near campus can turn into a criminal charge that follows them well beyond graduation. At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, we typically see students from schools like Vanderbilt, Belmont, TSU, Lipscomb,...
Tennessee is known for its strict DUI laws, especially in greater Nashville. You can even be charged with drunk driving for merely being in your vehicle while intoxicated. No ‘driving’ necessary. License revocation is often a mandatory penalty associated with even first-time DUI offenses in Tennessee. However, an experienced Nashville...
Do not underestimate law enforcement when it comes to driving under the influence charges in Nashville. You could be facing significant fines, jail time, and even the long-term loss of your driver’s license after just one DUI conviction. Contact the experienced Nashville DUI defense lawyers at Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC....
Criminal charges at the state level are based on violations of Tennessee’s laws, while criminal charges at the federal level are based on violations of the federal government’s laws. Federal charges pertain to legal concerns that affect the nation at large, including national security and interstate commerce, as well as...
Driving under the influence – or DUI – is a common criminal charge that carries serious legal and social consequences. If you’re facing a DUI charge, bringing a solid defense is critical, and one of the most important steps you can take toward this end is reaching out to an...
If having the criminal charge against you dropped altogether or being acquitted isn’t an option, staying out of jail or seriously limiting the time you are required to serve is the next-best alternative, and this is where probation and parole come into play. The law determines eligibility for both probation...
A plea bargain is an agreement made between the prosecution and defense which affords the defendant a lighter sentence. Also referred to as a plea deal, a plea bargain offers the defendant a level of control at the cost of admitting guilt. Oftentimes, a defendant may plead guilty to a...
Buying alcohol for minors is not only against the law in Tennessee, but it can also have serious consequences. If you or someone you know has been accused of buying alcohol for minors in Tennessee, always take the matter seriously and seek defense representation. Contact Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, today...
One of the most pressing concerns when you are facing DUI charges is how long your license suspension will last. Understanding the duration of your suspension can help you plan for alternative transportation options and get through the legal process more confidently and take appropriate steps to protect your driving...
Many people are terrified at the thought of being pulled over by a police officer, and they might panic at that moment. However, it is important to remember that refusing to stop when a police officer signals you to can have serious consequences. Not only can it escalate the situation,...
Tampering with evidence is a crime if performed with the intention to falsify information or conceal information. If you inadvertently tampered with evidence, although this is in itself not considered a crime, your actions could impact the course of an investigation, causing catastrophic results. If found guilty, you could be...
If you are under investigation for a federal criminal offense, you may feel overwhelmed and even terrified. With ample resources, the government meticulously investigates federal crimes to uncover incriminating evidence against individuals. Unlike state-level offenses, which have potential penalties subject to each jurisdiction’s specific statutes and laws, federal crimes are...
The more serious a federal offense, the stricter the punishment. In our justice system, a federal conviction comes with the harshest penalties, including life in prison and the death penalty. If you are facing federal charges, there are three tiers of courts that may hear your case: the United States...
If you are sober and the police pull you over, you may feel outraged or even helpless. However, law enforcement must have reason to believe that you are under the influence of an illicit substance or inebriated to pull you over. Signs of impairment often include zigzagging, erratic braking, and...
Driving under the influence is a serious offense, punishable by imprisonment, fines, license suspension, and, in some cases, having to pay restitution to injured parties. What you may not realize is that if you are convicted, even as a first-time offender, you will be forced to participate in alcohol education...
DUI charges should be taken seriously, with a conviction resulting in imprisonment, fines, and license suspension. Even a first-time offense can result in loss of driving privileges, making it a necessity that you find experienced counsel. Simply being charged with a DUI does not automatically make you guilty. Although police...
If a police officer suspects that you are driving under the influence, the officer may ask you to take a field sobriety test to determine your level of inebriation. The standard field sobriety test consists of three parts. If you fail any of these parts, then the officer will likely...
If you violate a state law, then you will be charged in state court, while a federal crime is prosecuted by the federal government. Violating a federal law is usually a more serious offense, resulting in one or more federal agencies investigating the matter. While federal and state crimes come...
The FBI reports roughly 14 million criminal offenses per year, with offenders facing lengthy prison sentences, steep fines, and asset forfeiture. If you have been accused of a crime that has involved interstate activities or has broken federal law, you can expect to be tried in federal court. While you...
If you are charged with a DUI in Tennessee, you face losing your driving privileges even for a first-time offense. The length of your license suspension will depend on prior offenses and other aggravating circumstances. However, your license will be suspended immediately if you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer...
Each year, less than five percent of criminal cases go to trial, with the rest being resolved through plea deals. That is because heading to trial is expensive, stressful, and comes with the risk of harsh penalties. If you are facing federal criminal charges, you want to obtain a defense...
Building a strong defense can reduce your chances of prosecution, but it requires working with an experienced Nashville federal criminal defense lawyer. At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, our team of professionals is well-versed in defense strategies to help you achieve the best possible case outcome. In this blog, we discuss...
Each year, more than one million arrests are made for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Impaired driving places the lives of all road users in danger, which is why law enforcement is dedicated to pursuing drivers they suspect are under the influence. In Tennessee, driving with a...




