Author: The Lanzon Firm
Can I say no to a chemical test?
A police stop is a stressful event, even more so when an officer asks for a chemical test. This request can be nerve-wracking and confusing for the driver because they have the choice to refuse to take the test—however, refusal of a chemical test results in a license suspension. Additionally, refusing to take a chemical
Anyone can be charged with a white collar crime
White collar crimes sound like something that only ultra-wealthy people commit. Fraud, embezzlement, and extortion all seem like the type of crimes you hear about in crime dramas, but they may be closer to reality than you think. White collar crimes are something that anyone can commit and can even happen unintentionally. How does someone commit these
New criminal laws for Tennessee in 2021
Every year, new laws are considered. Sometimes, they are agreed upon and go into effect. In 2021, there have been several key pieces of legislation that were made into law. Some of these affect the court system, which you should know about if you are ever arguing against a criminal charge. New Tennessee laws in 2021
The three hidden costs of paying a traffic ticket
A traffic officer pulls you over, makes allegations and writes a ticket. It may seem like the easiest way to put this behind you is to pay the ticket and move on. Although this may be the easiest step in that moment, it can have long-term consequences. Three impacts that come from paying off the
New laws targeting school violence
As schools in Tennessee and throughout the nation are continuing to resume operations after nearly a year of distance learning, students are returning to educational institutions in droves. Administrators are promoting environments where students can feel safe in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Other protections against other potential threats in schools statewide have become
Pulled over by the police? Don’t say these 3 things
No one wants to get pulled over by the police. Most people know that if they are, there is a good chance that they’ll be ticketed or arrested. It’s not a good idea to try to talk yourself out of this situation. Instead, now is a good time to know what you should not say
Talking to your child about DUI charges
If your child has reached an age when they’ll be driving, it’s important to sit down to have a conversation about driving under the influence and how dangerous it can be. You should also discuss with your child that there are real, serious consequences for DUIs, even if they are underage. In Tennessee, there are
The long-term consequences of drug convictions
Although there are some significant consequences you could face due to a drug conviction, such as jail time or heavy fines, those short-term consequences are not anywhere as significant as the long-term consequences that could impact your life forever. Long-term consequences of drug convictions could include things such as: Not being able to find a job that
What turns simple assault charges into aggravated ones?
Tennessee, like most states, makes it a crime for one person to touch or strike someone else to cause them harm. Physical contact intended to harm and to offend typically falls under the umbrella of assault. Assault statutes are even broader than prohibitions on physical violence. In Tennessee, someone can also face charges for threatening words or
What is reckless driving?
Most of the time, when a police officer pulls you over, they issue you a traffic ticket. That ticket is a civil infraction that affects your licensing and can carry a fine but doesn’t create a criminal record. However, reckless driving allegations are different. Unlike most other driving offenses, reckless driving is a criminal charge,