Drug charges can lead to life-altering consequences if convicted. If you face charges for trafficking, this can be even more serious due to the stiffer penalties that can be imposed for a conviction. It’s important to contact a Nashville criminal lawyer as early in the process as possible to maximize your defense options.

How Drug Charges are Classified

In Tennessee, drug charges follow a scale of severity based on the type of drug involved and the quantity the accused had in his or her possession. Schedule I drugs are the most severe. These are drugs that are highly addictive and generally have no medicinal value such as heroine. Even simple possession of a Schedule I substance can support a felony charge. As a Nashville criminal lawyer can explain, evidence that can be used to support a trafficking or intent to sell charge can include larger quantities of a given substance, other paraphernalia or the presence of large amounts of cash, for example.

Trafficking Charges Can Lead to More Serious Consequences

The more potent the drug and the higher quantity found in the suspect’s possession, the more likely the state will seek a trafficking charge over simple possession. Trafficking charges involving a Schedule I substance can lead to conviction of a Class B felony. As an attorney from a Nashville criminal law firm can explain, a conviction can lead to a sentence of 8 to 30 years behind bars plus significant monetary fines. Your attorney can discuss the specific amounts and types of drugs for each type of felony. It’s critical that you speak to an attorney as soon as you can in the criminal process. Your attorney can review how evidence was collected against you, probe for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and advise you of any options you may have for a plea bargain or other defense strategies.

You don’t have to face criminal charges alone. Put an experienced attorney with a proven track record of getting results for criminal defendants. To schedule an appointment with a Nashville criminal law firm who can help you prepare an aggressive defense strategy, call the offices of Horst Law at

Facing domestic violence charges is serious business. If convicted, it can impact all aspects of a defendant’s life. If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence charges, contact a skilled Nashville criminal attorney as soon as possible to maximize your options for dealing with

Events That Can Lead to a Domestic Violence Charge

Assault charges can result from putting another person in fear of imminent bodily harm. The aggressor does not even need to physically touch the victim; words or threats alone can suffice. As a Nashville criminal lawyer can explain, a charge of domestic violence arises from the relationship between the victim and the aggressor. If they are married, dating, live together or share a child in common, it can become domestic violence if aggressive behavior is involved. Tennessee law treats charges of domestic violence very seriously. The penalties for this crime are listed in the next section. Domestic violence charges or a later conviction can also have devastating consequences for the accused in other family law matters that may be in front of the Court. For example, if there is a pending divorce or custody dispute, the Court will likely take the events leading to the charge into consideration when ruling on issues such as child custody, property division and even spousal support.

Criminal Penalties for Domestic Violence

As your Nashville criminal lawyer can explain, domestic violence is a Class A Misdemeanor in Tennessee. If you or a loved one are convicted, sentencing can range to close to a year in jail time and significant fines. In the event a weapon is used during the assault, this can enhance the charge to aggravated assault and result in a felony conviction. A felony conviction carries with it lifelong consequences that can impact your ability to get a job, vote or ever carry a firearm.

Talk to an experienced Nashville criminal attorney who can zealously advocate for you. To schedule an appointment with the offices of Horst Law, call .

If you are dealing with a custody matter where abuse is alleged, a skilled Nashville defense attorney can provide compassionate counsel to help you decide how best to proceed.

How Child Custody Cases are Decided

In family law matters where child custody is disputed, the judge must make a factual determination about what is in the child’s best interests. As a Nashville defense attorney can explain, this “best interest” analysis takes into account a variety of things. The court must attempt to make an objective determination about very subjective things. For example, the court looks at the love and affection each parent has with the child. Consideration is given to which parent can provide the most stable home life, how the child performs in school depending on which parent he or she is with etc. No one consideration is dispositive, the court may try to view the child’s life as a whole. However, when abuse is alleged by one or both parents, the issue may become, understandably, more urgent.

Dealing with Suspected Abuse

As your Nashville defense lawyer can explain, if you suspect your child has been subjected to abuse either by the other parent or while the child is in their custody, it’s important to act quickly. If you suspect your child is in imminent danger, talk to your attorney about seeking an emergency protection order. In extreme circumstances, the court may be willing to grant a temporary order without having a hearing if it deems irreparable harm or injury will result from a delay. If the abuse you allege is past abuse, this can raise different issues for the court. If past abuse is alleged and the accused parent has sought counseling and rehabilitation, the court will take these facts into consideration when determining what is in the child’s best interests.

Child custody matters are likely the most important issues you’ll face. It’s important to seek counsel from an experienced Nashville defense lawyer. To make an appointment for an initial consultation with the offices of Brent Horst Attorney At Law, call (615) 403-2971 cell / (615) 259-9867 office.

Charges: Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Rape, 5 counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery
Facing: up to 110 years of prison, and a minimum mandatory prison sentence of 25 years.
Result: Not Guilty Verdict after jury trial.

Charge: Conspiracy to sell 300 pounds or more of Marijuana
Facing: 15-25 years, not eligible for probation
Result: Granted diversion, no jail, no conviction, case dismissed.

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Charge: DUI, .13 B.A.C.
Result: Negotiated plea to Reckless Driving

Charge: Assault
Result: Not Guilty Verdict after jury trial

Charge: Murder, first degree
Facing: life in prison
Result: Negotiated Plea to Voluntary manslaughter, three years jail, 2 years probation.