Criminal Defense Attorneys in Knoxville, Tennessee

Facing criminal charges is a turning point in anyone’s life. If you have been accused of a crime, you must speak with our criminal defense attorneys in Knoxville, Tennessee, to obtain effective representation.

Joshua S. Reed and Dillon Zinser understand the stress and confusion you experience when accused of committing a crime. That is why our team is dedicated to providing aggressive and vigorous representation to individuals facing criminal charges. Mr. Reed and his team are prepared to help assist you through every step of the criminal court process and help you fight for the most favorable result possible. We proudly serve clients in Knoxville, Farragut, and the counties of Anderson, Blount, Union, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and Clinton, Tennessee.

Criminal Charges in Tennessee

As in most other states, criminal charges in Tennessee divide into two broad categories: misdemeanors and felonies. It is essential to know the difference between the two and the possible penalties associated with a misdemeanor or felony, especially if accused of a crime.

The criminal court process and possible defenses depend on the classification of the criminal offense and how severe the charges are:

1. Misdemeanors are the least serious of the two categories. In Tennessee, misdemeanor charges have smaller fines and shorter incarceration in contrast to felonies. Misdemeanors divide into three subcategories.

2. Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors and carry significant penalties, including prison time and fines. Tennessee criminal law recognizes five subcategories of felonies depending on the severity of the offense.

According to a 2020 crime report by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, some of the most common criminal charges in Tennessee were:

• Assault (73,011 incidents)

• Aggravated assault (37,795)

• Intimidation (24,298)

• Destruction of property and vandalism (47,915)

• Shoplifting (35,648)

• Theft from motor vehicles (33,339)

• Drug and narcotic violations (49,576)

Regardless of the charges you are facing, our criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed can help assist in zealously defending you against the accusations.

Tennessee Criminal Court Process

Many individuals facing criminal charges in Tennessee are confused about the steps involved in the criminal court process. The typical steps of the process include:

1. Arrest or citation. The court orders the defendant to appear in court or a specific location to book the defendant into the criminal justice system.

2. Arraignment. The defendant is ordered to appear at arraignment, during which the defendant is formally accused of committing a crime.

3. General Sessions Court. In Tennessee, the General Sessions Court has the authority to address criminal cases.

4. Grand Jury. In Tennessee, a Grand Jury consists of 13 randomly selected citizens. The purpose of the jury is to determine if there is probable cause for the criminal charge.

5. Indictment. The term indictment refers to a formal accusation against a defendant. The Grand Jury signs the indictment.

6. Criminal Court. Defendants accused of crimes have the right to a trial in the highest trial court, during which the State or prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Knoxville or Farragut, Tennessee, to help you navigate the criminal court process and represent your rights with every legal resource available.

Possible Defenses Against Criminal Accusations

Numerous defenses are available to individuals facing criminal accusations in Tennessee. The following are some popular defense strategies used by criminal defense attorneys to defend clients:

• Self-defense. The defendant may claim a reasonable amount of physical force for self-defense, property, automobile, or other people in response to an immediate threat.

• Duress. The defendant may argue a coerce to commit the criminal offense because of a threat involving bodily harm or death.

• Necessity. Under certain circumstances, the defendant may claim the crime was committed out of necessity.

• Accident. If the defendant had no intent to commit the crime and the incident occurred accidentally, the defendant cannot be found guilty.

• Entrapment. The defendant may have been induced by law enforcement into committing the crime that the defendant otherwise would not commit.

• False accusations. A defendant cannot be found guilty of a criminal offense if it is proven that the accusations are false.

• Insanity. The defendant was not aware of certain actions or behaviors because of insanity or mental illness.