People I meet with often ask how it is that they have to do “probation” after being charged with a second offense DUI when they haven’t yet been convicted. It’s a fair question. DUI defendants, like everyone else charged with a crime, are presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty in court. So why then …
Continue reading "Special Bond Conditions For Multiple Offense Duis"
The Court of Criminal Appeals recently reaffirmed an earlier decision, finding that when a DUI suspect refuses to give consent to have his blood tested, that the police must get a search warrant prior to a forced blood draw. Previously, a state law requiring “mandatory” blood draws, for suspects with a prior offense of who …
Continue reading "Tennessee Court Holds Dui Blood Draws Without A Warrant Illegal"
UPDATE 2/18/15 @ 7:15 – Both Knox County General Sessions and all divisions of Criminal Court have announced they will be closed tomorrow, Thursday the 19th. The policy on the General Sessions Court website, states those courts will be closed when Knox County Schools are closed for “road conditions due to snow and/or ice.” While Knox County …
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Uber is a great car service that is not only easy to use and convenient, but could also reduce the number of Knoxville DUIs. Thats because, with the Uber app on your phone, you can summon a comfortable ride to your exact location, see where your car is while its on its way there, and …
Tennessee has strict laws regarding the possession, sale, and distribution of marijuana in all forms. You might think that a “simple” possession charge doesn’t sound serious, but in reality, drug charges are never simple. Although TN is taking steps towards cannabis law reform, possession charges are still a highly serious matter. If you’re facing charges …
Continue reading "Why There’s No Such Thing as a Simple Possession Charge in TN"
The National Trial Lawyers have selected Mr. Barnes as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 years old in Tennessee. Membership is extended solely to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and profile as civil plaintiff or criminal defense …
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The New Office is Ready for Clients! With lots of help from my wife Taylor, brother Travis, legal assistant Beth, and Diana and Kelsey from Bliss Home, the new office space has gone from this: to this: in just over a week. We’ve actually been working and having client meetings here for the last week, …
Everyday people in Knoxville and all over East Tennessee are given citations, without being handcuffed and taken to jail. Offenses vary from possession of marijuana, to driving on a suspended license, to shoplifting. The thing these crimes have in common is that they are misdemeanors that do not require an officer to formally arrest. As …
Continue reading "A Misdemeanor Is No Big Deal Right, Think Again"
Supreme Court Justice Scalia visited UT today and proclaimed himself the criminal defense bar’s best friend on the high court. Also said Heller was his proudest opinion. Good lecture, but the Q&A was a let down, no questions that prompted anything too interesting.
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