Nashville
Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal charges of any kind are a threat to your freedom and your interests. I understand that when it’s your future on the line, there is no such thing as a minor criminal charge. As a founding partner of the Nashville law firm of Weatherly, McNally & Dixon, P.L.C., I can offer you both experienced guidance and vigorous advocacy in the fight for justice. I have over three decades of criminal defense experience, and I have the skill and knowledge required to effectively confront even the most serious of criminal charges. Through a thoroughly prepared criminal defense strategy, I will tenaciously advocate for an optimal outcome for your case. I am prepared to assist you when facing various types of state and federal charges, including the following:

• White collar crime charges, including accusations of fraud or identity theft. Criminal conviction for financial crimes can have dramatic repercussions on your personal and professional life. My firm will help you prove your innocence or clarify your situation before the criminal court to help you avoid the significant penalties that often follow conviction for white collar crimes.
• Child pornography charges and other types of sex crimes. These criminal offenses are regarded by the public as particularly heinous. My firm will help you preserve your reputation as much as possible and assist you in crafting the strongest defense possible when you are accused of any crime of a sexual nature.
• DWI and DUI, as well as other charges related to intoxicated driving. The loss of your driving privileges and the social implications of a DUI conviction can have a significant impact on your livelihood. I will carefully examine the conditions of your arrest and your treatment in police custody to determine your best available defenses.
• Charges that affect immigration status and opportunities. The team at McNally Law will use the full range of our experience and professional resources to help you avoid deportation and help you maintain your immigration status.
• Criminal defense for tourists charged with various types of crimes. Being accused of a crime while visiting away from home can feel alienating. We promise to provide tourist clients with the same level of commitment and professional courtesy we extend to local clients.
• Accusations related to domestic violence/assault. A conviction for domestic violence can not only lead to jail time but also a loss of your custody rights. I will exhaust every available defense on your behalf and help you avoid conviction.

These are only a few examples of the types of criminal cases my firm represents. If you are accused of any criminal action in the Nashville area, it is vital to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

I understand the complexity of navigating the criminal justice system. I know that a conviction can disrupt your life and alter the course of your future, which is why I will vigorously pursue a beneficial outcome to even the most complex of cases. I am prepared to provide guidance and support for individuals in Tennessee and Western Kentucky facing issues related to criminal defense and appellate matters on a municipal, state, or federal level.

If you are falsely accused of a crime, I will do everything in my power to clear your name, clarify the situation in question, and ultimately guide you to an acquittal. If you are guilty in some measure, my team and I are prepared to undergo an extensive plea bargaining process on your behalf, potentially helping you secure a lighter sentence or pleading to lesser charges.

It is vital to understand how the criminal prosecution process works in Nashville. When you are accused of committing a crime, the burden of proving your guilt rests on the prosecution. If the prosecution is unable to provide evidence of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, this alone can be enough for you to avoid conviction. My team will attack the prosecution’s case at the foundational level. We typically aim to disrupt the prosecution as much as possible in the earliest stages of a criminal case to save our client time and money on legal fees.

In the event your guilt is clear and the prosecution has the evidence they believe they need to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, my team will move to a plea bargaining process to reduce your sentencing. In most cases, prosecutors are willing to accept plea bargains in exchange for swifter convictions, and a lighter sentence is possible when you have the right Nashville criminal defense lawyer on your side.

Many Tennessee state prosecutors pursue conviction quite aggressively. Depending on the nature of the charges you face, your case may fall under misdemeanor or felony designation. While misdemeanors tend to involve lighter penalties than felonies, the conviction of a misdemeanor on your record can still involve severe punishment and long-term consequences on your personal and professional life. Some of the possible penalties for criminal conviction in Nashville include:

• Fines and penalty assessments. Tennessee state law prescribes financial penalties for many criminal offenses in the form of fines. For example, if you are convicted of DUI, you will likely need to pay a fine as well as “penalty assessments” based on the nature of the actions that led to your arrest. Depending on the severity of the charges you face, you could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines and penalty assessments.
• Jail time. Some criminal convictions can result in your incarceration. Jail time is typically the one penalty most people facing criminal charges want to avoid the most. Minor offenses may only lead to a few days in jail, while felonies could amount to years in prison. When you work with my firm on your defense, one of our priorities in handling your case will be to help you avoid jail time as much as possible.
• Restitution. If your conviction involves the victimization of another person, the judge may sentence you to pay restitution to them as part of your punishment. Additionally, you may face civil liability for a victim’s medical expenses, property losses, and other civil damages. We can provide the legal representation you need to reduce your financial penalties if you are convicted.
• Probation. In some criminal cases, the defendant is sentenced to probation in lieu of jail time or in exchange for reduced jail time. It is vital to follow the terms of your probation. Otherwise, you could go to jail.
• Sex offender registration. Anyone convicted of certain sex crimes will need to register as a sex offender, sometimes for life. Sex offender registration can not only diminish your standing within your community but also prevent you from finding housing in certain areas or qualifying for some types of employment. I will do everything I can to prevent requiring you registering as a sex offender as your Nashville criminal law lawyer.
• Loss of parental rights. Conviction of domestic violence or crimes involving children can lead to you losing your custody rights.

Many criminal offenses involve multiple forms of punishment. For example, DUI conviction will lead to fines, jail time, and a loss of your driving privileges in most cases. Conviction for domestic abuse can lead to incarceration, fines, and loss of custody rights. My goal in every defense case my firm accepts is to minimize penalties when acquittal or dismissal are not viable options.

Constructing an affirmative defense against the charges you face will not follow a strict formula. Every criminal case is unique, and my team and I will provide you with the personalized attention you deserve so that you may approach your criminal case with confidence and peace of mind. Building your defense will generally revolve around challenging the prosecution’s evidence, citing procedural issues in the police’s or the prosecution’s handling of your case, identifying due process violations you experienced, or gathering exculpatory evidence that establishes a solid alibi or otherwise confirms your innocence.

It is not uncommon for people accused of criminal activity to feel lost and hopeless about their situations. However, these people generally assume the worst once they are arrested and do not know the specifics of the state laws that will apply in their case. If you are arrested for any criminal offense in Nashville, take full advantage of your right to remain silent and your right to legal counsel. If the police attempt to interrogate you without your attorney present, politely decline to answer their questions until you have spoken with an attorney.

After you are arrested for any crime in Nashville, it is vital that you contact a Nashville criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you hire a defense attorney to represent you, the better your chances will be of forming a solid defense against the charges you face. My team is prepared to offer the full range of my firm’s legal resources, professional contacts, and experience in handling your case.

Your long-term interests, financial security, and even your personal reputation could be at stake when you are facing criminal charges. Contact me as soon as possible after an arrest or as soon as you learn that you may be the subject of an investigation. You can reach out to my office or call 615-857-4560 or toll free at 866-244-4575 to schedule your free initial case evaluation.