Criminal Defense Attorneys in Grainger County

criminal fingerprints
criminal fingerprints

Being charged with a crime is an upsetting experience. It’s stressful and embarrassing to be arrested, and the possibility of large fines and prison time makes a bad situation even worse. If you’ve been charged with a crime in Grainger County, Tennessee, you must defend yourself aggressively against the charges. The best way to protect yourself is to reach out to Daniel, Daniel, & Newman, an experienced Grainger County criminal defense law firm with deep roots in the community.

For over 80 years, Grainger County and Eastern Tennessee residents have relied on the Daniel name for their legal needs. Attorney Evan M. Newman is committed to the same high-quality legal representation that his great-uncle Creed Daniel and Creed’s son, the late Dirk Daniel, built their legacy on. We’re proud of our history in the county and are determined to carry that legacy forward into the future.

As a Christ-centered business, we at Daniel, Daniel, & Newman understand the values, culture, and ideals the Grainger County community holds dear. We are proud of the work we have done for our satisfied clients who have trusted us with their criminal defense matters. Evan consistently strives to meet people where they are when they need us, with understanding, compassion, empathy, and personal attention.

If you’re facing charges for drug crimes, domestic violence, DUI, assault, sex crimes, or other infractions in Grainger County or Eastern Tennessee, don’t let the pressure paralyze you. Instead, contact Daniel, Daniel, & Newman immediately for a free consultation to discuss your criminal defense needs.

How a Criminal Attorney in Grainger County Can Help You

A Grainger County criminal defense lawyer can help you in several important ways:

  • Your attorney can use their knowledge of Tennessee law to craft a strong defense for your charges.
  • Your lawyer can ensure that the police, prosecutors, and courts respect your rights.
  • Your attorney can work to get the prosecutor to agree to a lower penalty or to reduce your charges.
  • Your criminal defense lawyer can make the strongest possible case for the court to dismiss your charges or acquit you.

Why You Need a Lawyer When Facing Criminal Charges

If you’re facing criminal charges in Grainger County or Eastern Tennessee, you are likely to get a much better outcome with the help of a criminal defense attorney. The advantages include the following:

  • The criminal defense lawyer has knowledge of the law and familiarity with the local courts, judges, and prosecutors.
  • The lawyer has the ability to explain the charges, your legal options, and the potential penalties to you so you can make the best possible decisions in your case.
  • The professional relationship between your criminal defense attorney and the prosecutor makes it easier for them to negotiate reductions to your charges and other matters that could affect your outcome.

If you represent yourself in a criminal trial, you will be taking on a challenging and complex task for which you are not trained. Don’t risk your future this way. Hire Daniel, Daniel, & Newman to fight for your rights and future.

Steps You Should Take If You Have Been Arrested

These are the steps you should take if you are arrested, according to the American Civil Liberties Union:

  • Remain calm, and don’t resist the arresting officers or attempt to escape.
  • Politely inform the officers that you want to remain silent and that you want a lawyer.
  • Do not make any statements or answer any questions without a lawyer.
  • Do not agree to let officers search your person or your property without a warrant.
  • You have the right to make one local phone call. Use it to call your lawyer.
  • If the police violate your rights in any way, write down what happened and any details you can remember as soon as possible. If you can, get the officers’ badge numbers, patrol car numbers, and what law enforcement agency they work for.
  • Meet with a Grainger County criminal defense attorney from Daniel, Daniel, & Newman as soon as possible to discuss your case.

What Are the Differences Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?

Criminal offenses in Tennessee are classified as either felonies or misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are relatively minor offenses, although they are still serious criminal charges for which you need a criminal defense attorney. Felonies are more serious criminal charges with more severe penalties.

The main difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is the length of time you can be imprisoned and where you will do time if you are convicted. A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by less than one year in county jail. A felony is a crime punishable by at least one year in prison.

There are three classes of misdemeanors under Tennessee law, including:

  • Class A misdemeanors
  • Class B misdemeanors
  • Class C misdemeanors

Any unclassified misdemeanor is automatically a Class A misdemeanor.

There are five classes of felonies, including:

  • Class A felonies
  • Class B felonies
  • Class C felonies
  • Class D felonies
  • Class E felonies

Any unclassified felony is automatically a Class E felony.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

Criminal cases we handle at Daniel, Daniel, & Newman include:

The same offense can have very different consequences depending on the case details. For instance, DUI charges can be anything from a misdemeanor to a felony under Tennessee law, depending on your prior convictions, blood alcohol content, and whether anyone was hurt or killed. Simple possession of illegal drugs is a Class A misdemeanor, but other drug offenses are felonies.

Penalties You Could Face for Criminal Convictions in Grainger County

If you are convicted of a crime in Grainger County, Tennessee, your sentence will depend on the crime for which you are convicted. According to Tennessee law:

  • The penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines up to $2500.
  • The penalty for a Class B misdemeanor is up to six months in jail and fines up to $500.
  • The penalty for a Class C misdemeanor is up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $50.
  • The penalty for a Class A felony is 15 to 60 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.
  • The penalty for a Class B felony is eight to 30 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.
  • The penalty for a Class C felony is three to 15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
  • The penalty for a Class D felony is two to 12 years in prison and fines of up to $5000.
  • The penalty for a Class E felony is one to six years in prison and fines up to $3000.

Potential Defenses to Charges You Are Facing

Every case requires its own unique defense strategy, but common defenses against criminal charges include:

  • Lack of Intent – This means that you had no criminal intent when you committed the acts for which you are being charged. For example, if you accidentally took something that didn’t belong to you or incorrectly believed you had a legal right to take it, then you had no intent to commit theft.
  • Self-Defense – This means that you did not commit the crime of assault because you were defending yourself or another from the threat of imminent physical harm. Tennessee law does not require you to retreat from a person threatening to harm you.
  • Alibi – The claim that you could not have committed the crime of which you are accused because you were somewhere else at the time. Under Tennessee law, the district attorney can request written notification of your alibi defense, including the names of any witnesses supporting your claim.
  • Insanity – The claim that you were mentally ill at the time of the offense. A Tennessee court can order you to undergo a psychiatric examination if you use this defense.
  • Constitutional Issues – If police committed an illegal search or seizure, then any evidence they found may be inadmissible in court. This can be a powerful defense in DUI and drug crime cases.
Evan Newman and Kathy Graves

Contact a Grainger County Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Whether you’ve been charged with DUI, domestic violence, assault and battery, drug crime, or a sex crime, you need a solid legal advocate to fight for you in court. Daniel, Daniel, & Newman has a reputation of over 80 years of experience defending the rights of local residents accused of a crime.

When you contact us about your criminal charges, we will sit down with you for a free consultation to discuss your charges. We will listen compassionately and then put together a strategy to get you the best results possible in your situation.

If you’re facing criminal charges in Grainger County, you need compassionate and professional help as soon as possible. Don’t leave your future in the hands of an overworked public defender. Instead, contact Daniel, Daniel, & Newman for your free consultation today with Evan Newman, an experienced Grainger County criminal lawyer.