Category Archives: Uncategorized

Tennessee overhauled its firearms laws in 2021 when the legislature passed a permitless carry statute that took effect on July 1 of that year. Under the new framework, adults who are at least 21 years old and who meet certain eligibility requirements can carry a handgun in most public places without obtaining a permit atContinueContinue reading “Tennessee Weapons Laws: Permits, Permitless Carry, and Criminal Charges”

Nashville criminal defense attorney Nathan Cate explains mandatory minimum sentences in Tennessee, the 85 percent release eligibility requirement for violent crimes, repeat DUI minimums, and how plea bargaining interacts with mandatory floors.

Nashville criminal defense attorney Nathan Cate explains Tennessee’s obstruction of justice statute, how it differs from resisting arrest, common fact patterns, and the defenses available.

Nashville criminal defense attorney Nathan Cate explains criminal penalties for violating an order of protection in Tennessee, what counts as a violation, mandatory arrest policy, GPS monitoring, and defenses.

Nashville criminal defense attorney Nathan Cate explains speedy trial rights in Tennessee under the Barker v. Wingo four-factor test, when to file a motion to dismiss for delay, and how continuance practice works in Davidson County.

Nashville criminal defense attorney Nathan Cate explains Tennessee identity theft charges under T.C.A. 39-14-150, trafficking in stolen identities, penalty enhancements for elderly victims, digital evidence issues, and available defenses.

Kidnapping and false imprisonment charges in Tennessee span a wide severity range — from a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to 11 months in jail to a Class A felony carrying 15 to 60 years in prison. The distinction between the lower and upper end of that range depends on specific statutory elements: whether theContinueContinue reading “Kidnapping and False Imprisonment in Tennessee”

Reckless driving in Tennessee is a Class B misdemeanor — more serious than a traffic ticket, less serious than most other criminal charges, and far more consequential than most people realize at the time of arrest. A conviction under T.C.A. § 55-10-205 goes on your criminal record, adds points to your driving record, increases yourContinueContinue reading “Reckless Driving in Tennessee: Charges and Consequences”

Child abuse and neglect charges in Tennessee carry some of the most severe consequences in the criminal code. Aggravated child abuse under T.C.A. § 39-15-402 is a Class B felony carrying 8 to 30 years in prison, and it becomes a Class A felony — the same classification as second-degree murder, with a range ofContinueContinue reading “Child Abuse and Neglect Charges in Tennessee: What Parents Need to Know”

Public intoxication is one of the lowest-level criminal charges in Tennessee — a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $50 and no jail time for a first offense. But it is still a criminal charge. It goes on your record. It shows up in background checks. And it is often the entry pointContinueContinue reading “Public Intoxication in Tennessee: Charges, Penalties, and Defenses”