Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer for Tourists and Out-of-State Defendants
Nashville is one of the country's most popular destinations for vacations, concerts, sporting events, conventions, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and weekends on Broadway. But a trip can change quickly when a visitor is arrested or cited for a criminal offense.
If you live outside Tennessee and were arrested while visiting Nashville, the criminal case does not end when you go home. You may have questions about court appearances, bond conditions, warrants, driver's-license consequences, and whether you can handle parts of the case without repeatedly traveling back to Tennessee.
Kevin Kennedy is a former Davidson County prosecutor who now represents people accused of crimes in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee. If you were charged while visiting Nashville, Kevin Kennedy Law Firm can evaluate the case, explain what happens next, and develop a strategy for defending the charge.
Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer & Former Prosecutor Kevin Kennedy. 615-205-7311. Call or text for a free consultation.
COMMON CHARGES INVOLVING NASHVILLE VISITORS
Visitors can face many of the same felony and misdemeanor charges as Nashville residents. Common situations can involve:
- DUI
- Public intoxication
- Disorderly conduct
- Assault or aggravated assault
- Domestic assault
- Resisting or evading arrest
- Drug possession
- Weapons offenses
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Public indecency or indecent exposure
Incidents often arise around Lower Broadway, downtown Nashville, The Gulch, Midtown, hotels, bars, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment areas. The location may explain how the encounter began, but the State still must prove every element of the charged offense.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A NASHVILLE ARREST?
The exact process depends on the charge and circumstances. A defendant may be booked, brought before a judicial commissioner or court, given a bond, and released subject to conditions while the criminal case proceeds in Davidson County.
Those release conditions matter. Depending on the case, they may restrict contact with another person, possession of weapons, alcohol or drug use, travel, or other conduct. Returning to another state does not automatically eliminate Tennessee bond conditions.
Before leaving Nashville, a defendant should know the exact charge, the next court date, the conditions of release, and whether personal attendance will be required.
DO I HAVE TO COME BACK TO NASHVILLE FOR COURT?
Possibly. Whether a defendant must personally appear depends on the charge, the stage of the case, the particular proceeding, and whether the court permits the defendant's presence to be waived.
An out-of-state defendant should never simply assume that living elsewhere excuses a court appearance. Missing a required appearance can lead to serious consequences, including a warrant or additional legal problems.
One of the first issues to address with a Nashville criminal defense lawyer is which appearances actually require you to return to Tennessee and whether any appearance can lawfully be handled through counsel.
CAN I HIRE A NASHVILLE LAWYER AFTER I GO HOME?
Yes. A person does not have to remain in Tennessee to retain a Nashville criminal defense attorney. The important issue is where the criminal case is pending.
Counsel can evaluate the charge, investigate the evidence, explain upcoming court settings, review potential defenses, and determine what must happen next. For someone living hundreds or thousands of miles away, resolving the logistics early can be especially important.
ARRESTED ON BROADWAY OR DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE
Lower Broadway and downtown Nashville bring together large crowds, alcohol, bars, honky-tonks, hotels, rideshare traffic, and visitors from across the country. Arrests can follow bar disputes, encounters with police, driving after leaving downtown, or other late-night incidents.
An arrest on Broadway does not mean the charge is proven. Depending on the allegation, important evidence can include body-camera footage, surveillance video, witness statements, photographs, medical records, field sobriety evidence, chemical testing, and police reports.
The defense should focus on what the evidence actually establishes rather than simply accepting the arresting officer's characterization of the incident.
BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTY ARRESTS
Nashville is a major destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties. When someone in the group is arrested, everyone may be scheduled to fly or drive home within a day or two.
Before leaving, the defendant should determine the exact charge, court and court date, bond conditions, whether a personal appearance is required, and what evidence may need to be preserved. A criminal charge should not be treated as something that will disappear once the trip ends.
OUT-OF-STATE DUI CHARGES IN NASHVILLE
A DUI while visiting Nashville can be especially complicated because the criminal case is in Tennessee while the defendant may hold a driver's license from another state.
The defense may require review of the reason for the traffic stop, body-camera or dash-camera footage, field sobriety testing, breath or blood evidence, implied-consent issues, officer observations, and statements allegedly made by the driver.
Out-of-state drivers should also consider whether the Nashville case may create separate driver's-license consequences in their home state.
WHAT IF I WAS GIVEN A CITATION INSTEAD OF TAKEN TO JAIL?
A citation can still require the person to answer a criminal charge in court. It should not be treated as an ordinary traffic ticket merely because the person was not kept in jail.
Before returning home, make sure you know the charge, the court date, and whether your appearance is required.
WHAT IF I ALREADY MISSED COURT?
Do not continue ignoring the case. A missed required appearance can potentially result in a warrant and make the original case more difficult to resolve.
An attorney can determine the current status of the Nashville case and evaluate the appropriate steps for addressing a missed court date or outstanding warrant.
DEFENSES TO A NASHVILLE CRIMINAL CHARGE
Being arrested is not the same as being guilty. The available defense depends on the offense and evidence.
Potential issues may include whether police had lawful grounds for a stop or detention, whether a search was legal, whether statements were obtained lawfully, whether body-camera footage contradicts the accusation, whether witnesses are reliable, whether identification is disputed, whether self-defense applies, whether testing evidence is reliable, and whether the State can prove every required element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Every case should be evaluated on its own facts.
HOW KEVIN KENNEDY DEFENDS OUT-OF-STATE CLIENTS
Kevin Kennedy previously served as an prosecutor in Davidson County. As a prosecutor, he handled thousands of criminal cases, negotiated thousands of pleas, tried cases before juries, and served as lead prosecutor on serious felony cases.
That experience now informs his work on the defense side. For an out-of-state client, the first priority is determining exactly what is pending in Nashville, what court dates and bond conditions apply, what evidence exists, and what must happen next. From there, the case can be investigated and a defense strategy developed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I leave Tennessee after being arrested in Nashville?
That depends on the conditions imposed in the particular case. A defendant should understand all conditions of release before traveling.
Can I hire a Nashville lawyer from another state?
Yes. You can retain Tennessee counsel even after returning home.
Do I have to fly back for every court date?
Not necessarily. Whether your presence can be waived depends on the case and proceeding. Never assume an appearance is excused without confirming it.
What happens if I ignore the case after going home?
Ignoring a required court date can lead to a warrant or other consequences.
Can the charge be dismissed?
Possibly. Outcomes depend on the charge, evidence, defenses, criminal history, eligibility for particular resolutions, and other circumstances.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
If you were arrested or cited while visiting Nashville, you can begin addressing the case even after returning home. Kevin Kennedy can personally evaluate the charge, explain the Nashville court process, discuss whether and when you may need to return, and begin developing a defense strategy.
Kevin Kennedy Law Firm 1308 Rosa L Parks Blvd Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 205-7311
Consultations are free and confidential.
LEGAL INFORMATION
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.