Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer for Lipscomb Students and Their Families
Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer & Former Prosecutor Kevin Kennedy. 615-205-7311. Call or text for a free consultation.
First, Determine the Exact Charge and Custody Status
When a Lipscomb student is arrested in Nashville, parents may receive only a brief or confusing phone call. Start by determining the formal criminal charge, whether the student remains in custody, whether bond has been set, and the date and location of the next court appearance.
Do not assume that the charge described by a friend is the charge actually filed. The arrest paperwork and court record are more important than secondhand descriptions.
Where Will the Case Be Handled?
Many Nashville criminal cases begin in Davidson County General Sessions Court. Misdemeanor cases may be resolved there, while felony cases can proceed through a preliminary hearing and the grand-jury process before reaching Criminal Court.
If the student is taken into custody, the Davidson County booking and release process applies.
What Charges Can College Students Face?
- DUI
- Drug possession
- Underage alcohol offenses
- Public intoxication
- Disorderly conduct
- Assault or domestic assault
- Theft
- Identification-related allegations
- Weapons offenses
A student with no prior record can still face meaningful criminal and collateral consequences.
Could the Arrest Affect Lipscomb Separately?
A criminal prosecution and a university disciplinary process are separate matters. An incident that produces a Nashville arrest can also raise issues under applicable university policies.
Students should be cautious about giving detailed written or recorded accounts of the same incident before understanding how those statements could affect the criminal case.
What Should Parents Preserve?
Save the citation, bond paperwork, court information, texts, photographs, videos, rideshare records, receipts, witness names, and other evidence connected to the incident.
If the event occurred at a business, apartment complex, parking area, or other location with surveillance, identify the location quickly because private footage may not be kept indefinitely.
Should Parents Contact the Alleged Victim?
Parents should generally avoid trying to persuade an alleged victim or witness to change a statement, decline prosecution, or avoid court. In cases involving no-contact conditions, acting as an intermediary can create additional problems.
Preserve witness information and let counsel determine the appropriate investigative approach.
Could Diversion Be Available?
Depending on the offense and the student's history, judicial diversion, pretrial diversion, retirement, or another non-conviction resolution may be worth evaluating. Eligibility and availability vary by charge and procedural posture.
For a college student, the difference between a conviction and a non-conviction resolution can matter for internships, employment, graduate programs, professional licensing, and background checks.
What About Court During School Breaks or Summer?
Students should not assume that a court date can be skipped because they are away from Nashville. Counsel can determine whether personal appearance is required and whether scheduling options are available.
Missing a required Davidson County court date can lead to a warrant and make the case more difficult.
Talk With a Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Kevin Kennedy is a former Davidson County prosecutor who now represents students and other defendants charged with crimes in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee. Kevin Kennedy Law Firm can help Lipscomb students and their families understand the charge, evidence, court process, and possible resolutions.
Call Kevin Kennedy Law Firm at (615) 205-7311 to discuss the case.