Criminal Defense Attorney in Goodlettsville

Protect Your Legal Rights with Experienced Legal Support

Being accused of a crime is a life-altering event that affects your family, job, and reputation. If you face criminal charges in or around Goodlettsville, the time to act is now. Do not speak with law enforcement without an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side. Your choices in the first hours and days after an arrest can have lasting consequences.

Our firm is dedicated to providing knowledgeable, aggressive, strategic defense for every client we represent. We have a deep appreciation of the complexities of Tennessee criminal law and the local courts, including the Goodlettsville Municipal Court and the General Sessions and Criminal Courts in Nashville and Gallatin. We are a tireless defense team, committed to protecting your constitutional rights and achieving the best possible outcome in your case.

Why Local Knowledge Matters

Effective criminal defense is intensely local. An attorney unfamiliar with the local dynamics of the judges, prosecutors, and police in Goodlettsville is at a distinct disadvantage. We leverage our on-the-ground knowledge and relationships to anticipate the prosecution’s strategy, negotiate from a position of strength, and present the most compelling case at trial. Our seasoned criminal defense lawyers examine every detail, from the legality of the initial stop and search to the reliability of witness testimony and forensic evidence.

Serious Defense for Serious Charges

Our firm handles a wide range of criminal matters, from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. No case is too small for a meticulous defense, and no charge is too severe to fight fiercely. Our practice areas include the following:

• Assault: We defend against simple assault, aggravated assault, and vehicular assault charges.
• Violent crimes: Our skilled defense team fights violent crime charges, including manslaughter, murder, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery, with a focus on constitutional violations and self-defense.
• Drug crimes: We represent individuals charged with possession, distribution, trafficking, and manufacturing of controlled substances, including marijuana, methamphetamine, and opioids.
• Domestic violence: Our firm protects clients accused of offenses involving family or household members, including assault, stalking, and harassment.
• Orders of protection: We represent respondents in civil proceedings challenging temporary and final orders of protection.
• Sex crimes: We provide discreet and zealous defense against serious charges such as sexual battery, rape, and child pornography offenses.
• Theft: We defend against theft charges ranging in severity from shoplifting and petty theft to grand larceny, burglary, and robbery.
• White collar crimes: Our team defends professionals, executives, and other individuals against charges of financial crimes such as embezzlement, money laundering, wire fraud, and identity theft.
• Probation violations: We help clients navigate hearings for alleged violations of probation, parole, or community supervision terms.
• Sealing criminal records: Our firm can guide eligible clients through the process of expungement to clear past mistakes and restore opportunities for employment and housing.

Customized, Aggressive Legal Defense Strategies

Every criminal case is unique, and your defense should be tailored to your specific circumstances. As well as resolving your case, our goal is to minimize the long-term damage to your life, which may involve fighting for outright dismissal, reduced charges, or alternatives to incarceration, such as diversion programs. When you retain our firm, we immediately initiate a thorough, independent investigation. Our process involves the following steps:

• Consultation and case review: We meet with you confidentially, listen to your side of the story, and review initial evidence and charging documents.
• Evidence examination: We meticulously scrutinize all evidence gathered by the police, searching for procedural errors, constitutional rights violations, and unreliable data.
• Witness interviews: We interview key witnesses in your case to uncover any inconsistencies or exculpatory evidence missed by the prosecution.
• Strategy development: Based on our investigation, we craft a powerful, multifaceted defense strategy, which may be focused on challenging the police stop, suppressing critical evidence, or preparing for trial.
• Negotiation and trial advocacy: Our attorneys engage in direct, assertive negotiations with prosecutors, always prepared to take your case to trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached. Our seasoned trial lawyers have the knowledge and skills to present a compelling defense to a jury.

Frequently Asked Questions About Goodlettsville Criminal Cases (FAQs)

What should I do immediately after an arrest?

Demand to speak to an attorney and assert your right to remain silent. Do not answer any questions, consent to any searches, or sign any documents. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are trained to use information against you. Politely but firmly state that you will not speak without an attorney present and call our firm.

Will my case automatically go to trial?

No, the majority of criminal cases are resolved through motions to suppress evidence, plea negotiations, or alternative sentencing programs. Although we prepare every case as though it will go to trial, our strategic negotiation skills often lead to favorable resolutions without the need for a jury verdict. We will advise you honestly of the risks and benefits of taking a case to trial.

What is the difference between pre-trial diversion and judicial diversion?

Both options could potentially lead to the dismissal of your charges and expungement of your record. Pre-trial diversion is an agreement typically made with the prosecutor’s office before you plead guilty. Judicial diversion requires that you plead guilty and is granted by the judge, effectively delaying the entry of the judgment against you. For either option, the charge is dismissed if you complete the probationary period.

Can a misdemeanor conviction prevent me from owning a firearm in Tennessee?

The answer depends on the specific misdemeanor. While most misdemeanor convictions will not automatically strip away your Second Amendment rights, conviction of certain offenses, such as domestic assault, could lead to a lifetime federal ban on possessing firearms, even if the alleged offense is charged as a misdemeanor. Loss of gun rights is a major consequence that many people do not realize until it is too late.

Severity of Tennessee Criminal Penalties

A criminal conviction in Tennessee can have serious consequences. Penalties are structured according to the classification of the offense and extend far beyond jail time and fines. State law divides felony offenses into six classes, ranging from Class A (the most serious) to Class E (the least serious), with general statutory ranges for prison terms as follows:

• Class A felonies (such as aggravated rape and first-degree murder): Not less than 15 or more than 60 years.
• Class B felonies (such as vehicular homicide and aggravated robbery): Not less than eight or more than 30 years.
• Class C felonies (including aggravated assault and theft over $60,000): Not less than three or more than 15 years.
• Class D felonies (such as theft over $10,000 and possession of certain controlled substances): Not less than two or more than 12 years.
• Class E felonies (such as theft over $2,500): Not less than one year or more than six years.

While misdemeanor convictions are less severe, they still carry significant weight. For example, unless otherwise provided by statute for a specific offense, a Class A misdemeanor, such as first offense DUI or simple assault, can lead to almost a year in jail and fines of up to $2,500. A Class B misdemeanor, such as reckless driving or public indecency, could lead to a six-month jail term and up to $500 in fines. An individual charged with a Class C misdemeanor, such as disorderly conduct or public intoxication, could spend up to 30 days in jail and pay fines of up to $50.

Any criminal record, regardless of classification, can severely hinder employment, housing, and education opportunities. We aim to seek a result that avoids or minimizes these lasting negative impacts.

Time: The Most Critical Element of Your Defense

Delaying your decision to hire an attorney only benefits the prosecution. The sooner our defense team is involved, the better we can protect the crime scene, interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, and intervene with law enforcement before charges are formally filed or escalated.

If you believe you are under investigation or have been arrested in Goodlettsville, contact Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC at (615) 821-2230 immediately. Use the two most powerful rights under the U.S. Constitution: your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney.