Criminal Defense Lawyer in White House

Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, criminal allegations in Tennessee should be taken seriously. Whether you have been charged on the state or federal level, the legal process can take anywhere from several months to several years. If you fail to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney, you may miss opportunities along the way to get charges dropped or to be eligible for a more lenient sentence.

With our team of experienced lawyers being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we have helped countless individuals through the most difficult of times. If you are currently facing criminal charges in White House or anywhere within Robertson County, our criminal defense team would like to speak with you.

Representing the Interests of Individuals in White House, TN

Our criminal defense lawyers boast a successful track record in handling the following matters:

• Assault
• Domestic violence
• Drug crimes
• DUI
• Disorderly conduct
• Public intoxication
• Shoplifting and other theft crimes
• Probation violations (substantive and technical violations)
• Order of protection violations
• Sealing and expungement of criminal records
• Sex crimes
• Theft crimes
• Violent crimes
• White-collar crimes

Understanding the Tennessee Criminal Court Process

To make you aware of what to expect when facing criminal charges, it is important that you have a basic understanding of the criminal court process. Below, our criminal defense lawyers provide an overview of the criminal court process in Tennessee.

Preliminary Hearing

A preliminary hearing serves to establish if probable cause exists. A sort of “mini-trial,” evidence will be presented, and witnesses will testify. If the court decides that probable cause exists, then your case will proceed to trial. If you are facing felony charges, then your case will proceed to a Grand Jury.

Grand Jury

During a Grand Jury, a panel of thirteen individuals will decide if there is enough evidence to indict you. If so, they will formally charge you with the crime by returning a “true bill.” The Grand Jury investigation is not a determination of guilt, but rather the determining factor on whether there is sufficient evidence to send your case to trial.

Arraignment

Your first scheduled appearance in court will be at your arraignment. At the arraignment, you will receive a copy of the indictment, and the judge will read the charges brought against you. At this time, you will enter either a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest). Although the laws vary between states, the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure require the defendant to be present at the arraignment.

Jury Selection

Before your trial starts, a jury of 12 members will be selected. These jurors will be asked a series of questions by a judge (known as “voir dire”) to evaluate whether they have any biases that would prevent them from being impartial. Both the prosecution and defense will be allotted a certain number of peremptory challenges, which allows an attorney the right to remove a juror from being seated without providing a reason (based on the potential imprisonment the defendant faces if convicted). Once all the jurors are seated, your trial will begin.

Trial

During the trial, both the prosecution and defense will present opening statements. Next, the government will present its case-in-chief, which will involve calling witnesses to the stand and presenting evidence. Your defense attorney will cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses during this time. After the prosecution presents its case, your defense attorney will present their case-in-chief. During this time, the prosecution reserves the right to cross-examine any of the defense’s witnesses.

Jury Deliberations

The jury will convene in private to deliberate. The jury will return either a guilty verdict or a not guilty verdict. If you are found guilty, sentencing is often scheduled for a later date. If found not guilty, you will be acquitted of the charge and free to go. Tennessee criminal law requires that the verdict be unanimous. If the jury cannot come to an agreement, then a hung jury will be declared. If an error occurred during the proceedings, the judge may declare a mistrial, requiring that your case be re-tried. If the ruling is not in your favor, you may have the right to appeal. Certain circumstances must apply to appeal, which is why it is crucial that you work with an experienced attorney to ensure the process is handled properly.

White House Criminal Defense Lawyers You Can Trust

From the moment you step into our office, we will work with you to help you understand the charges against you as well as explain your legal options. As always, our main objective is to protect your civil liberties. If we don’t believe that we can get the charges dropped or dismissed, we will work to reach a plea deal with the prosecution.

Hailing from vastly different backgrounds, our White House criminal defense attorneys have the insight you need to achieve the best possible outcome. If you are ready to work with a legal team a cut above the rest, our office is here to help. We are proud to serve the residents of Robertson County, providing legal guidance during challenging times. To schedule your free consultation, Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, can be reached online or by phone at (615) 846-9889.