Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer & Former Prosecutor Kevin Kennedy. 615-205-7311. Call or text for a free consultation.
Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer Explaining the Davidson County Arrest Process
If you are arrested in Nashville, the next several hours can move quickly. You may be transported for booking, brought before a judicial magistrate, given a bond or release conditions, and assigned a future court date. The exact process depends on the charge, whether there are holds or warrants, and whether the case is a misdemeanor or felony.
Knowing the basic Davidson County process can help you avoid mistakes. An arrest is only the beginning of the case. What happens immediately afterward can affect bond, evidence preservation, court appearances, and the defense strategy going forward.
Kevin Kennedy is a former Davidson County prosecutor who now represents people accused of crimes in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee. The goal after an arrest is to understand the charge, protect your rights, comply with release conditions, and begin preparing the case early.
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office states that the Downtown Detention Center is the first stop for every arrestee in Davidson County. The facility is located at 200 James Robertson Parkway in downtown Nashville.
Booking can involve identity verification, fingerprinting, photographs, property intake, medical screening, and entry of charge and bond information into the jail system. The amount of time this takes varies. A person may also have to wait for another step in the release process before leaving custody.
Davidson County's judicial magistrates operate what is commonly called Night Court. Despite the name, the magistrate function operates around the clock. Magistrates can conduct probable-cause proceedings, issue warrants, and set bail bonds in criminal cases.
For a newly arrested person, this stage can be important because it may determine whether bond is set and what conditions apply. The amount and type of bond depend on the case. Some defendants may also be subject to statutory holds, detainers, or other restrictions that affect release.
Bond is intended to address release while the criminal case is pending. A magistrate or judge may consider the nature of the charge, criminal history, risk of flight, safety concerns, prior failures to appear, ties to the community, and other lawful factors.
The dollar amount is only part of the issue. Release conditions can be just as important. A person may be ordered not to contact someone, stay away from a residence or location, avoid alcohol or drugs, surrender weapons, use GPS monitoring, or comply with other conditions. Violating those conditions can create a new problem even before the original case is resolved.
Davidson County Pretrial Services operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Pretrial Screening Office is located in the booking area of the Downtown Detention Center. Depending on the case and eligibility, pretrial screening or supervision can be part of the release process.
Being released through a pretrial program does not mean the criminal charge is dismissed. The defendant still has to comply with court dates and any conditions imposed while the case continues.
Some misdemeanor offenses may result in a state misdemeanor citation instead of immediate incarceration. A citation is not the same as the charge disappearing. Davidson County requires citation holders to complete a booking process that includes fingerprints, a photograph, and entry into the arrest system.
The citation will contain important dates. Missing a required booking date or court date can cause additional complications. Keep the paperwork and confirm every deadline.
The first court date depends on the charge and how the case entered the system. Many criminal cases begin in Davidson County General Sessions Court. Jail cases, bond matters, domestic-violence cases, traffic cases, and other criminal matters may be placed on different dockets.
The first appearance is not necessarily a trial. It may involve bond, appointment or appearance of counsel, scheduling, negotiation, or preparation for a later hearing. Felony cases may later involve a preliminary hearing, grand-jury review, and proceedings in Criminal Court.
Read the release paperwork carefully. Confirm the exact charge, case number if available, next court date, bond amount, and every condition of release. If there is a no-contact condition, do not assume the other person can waive it. If there is a location restriction, weapon condition, alcohol restriction, monitoring requirement, or reporting obligation, treat it seriously.
You should also preserve evidence. Save texts, photographs, receipts, rideshare records, location information, videos, names of witnesses, and anything else that may matter. Do not alter evidence, contact witnesses in a threatening way, or post about the incident on social media.
Nashville arrests frequently involve tourists and out-of-state defendants. Returning home does not end a Davidson County criminal case. Before leaving Tennessee, make sure you understand your court date and bond conditions. Depending on the charge and proceeding, a lawyer may be able to address some court settings without your personal presence, but you should never assume that is allowed.
Many misdemeanor cases can be resolved in General Sessions Court. Possible outcomes can include dismissal, plea agreement, trial, diversion when legally available, retirement, or another lawful disposition. The defense should evaluate the evidence, the legal elements, constitutional issues, criminal history, and collateral consequences before deciding how to proceed.
Felony cases often begin in General Sessions Court but may move forward to the grand jury and Davidson County Criminal Court. A defendant may have a preliminary hearing unless it is waived or the case proceeds another way. If the grand jury returns an indictment, the case then moves through Criminal Court procedures such as arraignment, motions, negotiation, and potentially trial.
How long does booking take in Nashville?
There is no guaranteed amount of time. Booking and release can depend on staffing, medical screening, bond processing, holds, the charge, and other factors.
Can I be released the same day?
Sometimes. Other defendants remain in custody because bond has not been made, a hold applies, bond is denied or not yet set, or another legal issue prevents release.
Does an arrest mean I will be convicted?
No. An arrest is an accusation and the beginning of a criminal case. The State still has to prove the charge, and the defense can challenge the evidence and legal issues.
Should I talk to police after I am released?
Be cautious about making additional statements about the case. A defendant generally should speak with counsel before agreeing to a new interview or trying to explain the incident to law enforcement.
If you or someone you care about has been arrested in Nashville, the first steps can matter. Kevin Kennedy Law Firm can review the charge, bond conditions, court date, available evidence, and the next stage of the Davidson County process. Call (615) 205-7311 to discuss the case.