Nashville Felony Crimes Attorney

Focused Defense from Your First Questioning Through Resolution

A felony charge can put your freedom and future at risk. The Law Office of Lucas B. Willoughby provides affordable representation for people facing these serious allegations.

We give every felony case focused, individualized attention. Our attorney, Lucas B. Willoughby, has handled thousands of cases and represents clients through police questioning, bond hearings, pretrial motions, negotiations, and court proceedings. We provide clear communication, compassionate guidance, and assertive advocacy based on the charge, the evidence, and your circumstances.

We’re available 24/7 because critical decisions can arise immediately after an arrest. Our free consultations include honest advice about the procedural steps ahead.

Call (615) 745-3434 or reach out online for a free consultation about protecting your rights after a felony arrest or investigation.

Tennessee Felony Classes & Sentencing Ranges

Tennessee divides criminal offenses into misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies are punishable by more than one year of incarceration and range from the most serious category, Class A, through E.

Tennessee law establishes the following felony sentencing ranges and maximum fines:

• Class A felony: 15 to 60 years of incarceration, with a maximum fine of $50,000.
• Class B felony: A prison term of 8 to 30 years and a maximum fine of $25,000.
• Class C felony: 3 to 15 years of imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.
• Class D felony: 2 to 12 years in custody and a maximum fine of $5,000.
• Class E felony: 1 to 6 years in prison and fines up to $3,000.

The felony class doesn’t determine the exact sentence by itself. Your prior record affects whether sentencing falls within Range I, Range II, Range III, or the Career Offender classification. The offense, applicable enhancement or mitigating factors, and available sentencing alternatives also require case-specific review.

Felony allegations within these classifications include aggravated rape, drug trafficking, burglary, and felony Theft. The classification and potential penalties depend on the precise statute and facts alleged, not simply the general name of the offense.

Felony Charges We Defend in Nashville

Felony cases differ significantly in their evidence and legal issues. We tailor our review to your specific allegation, how investigators collected the evidence, the case’s procedural posture, and your circumstances.

Our felony defense work includes:

• Violent Crimes: We represent clients accused of aggravated assault, homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery.
• Drug Offenses: These cases include manufacturing, trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute.
• Sex Crimes: We handle allegations involving rape, statutory rape, sexual battery, internet sex crimes, solicitation of a minor, and unlawful sexual images.
• Theft and Property Crimes: These cases include burglary, auto theft, identity theft, embezzlement, and arson.
• White Collar Crimes: We defend cases involving alleged fraud, forgery, credit card fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

Felony investigations can generate police reports, search warrants, financial records, digital evidence, forensic analysis, and witness statements. We examine the material relevant to your charge, identify factual and constitutional issues, and determine which evidence should be challenged through pretrial motions.

The distinction between a felony and a misdemeanor also affects the potential punishment and defense strategy. A first-time DUI, for example, is ordinarily treated differently from an allegation classified as a felony under state law.

Felon-in-Possession Firearm Charges in Tennessee

Under Tennessee law, a person previously convicted of a felony crime of violence or a felony drug offense is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Possession after a felony crime-of-violence conviction is classified as a Class B felony. Possession after a felony drug conviction is a Class C felony. Each classification carries its corresponding sentencing range.

The state also treats possession of a handgun after any felony conviction as a Class E felony unless you were pardoned, the conviction was expunged, or your civil rights were restored without a continuing firearm-possession prohibition. Determining which provision applies requires careful review of the prior conviction and the current allegation.

The Tennessee Felony Defense Process

Felony cases move through several distinct stages. We represent you from arrest and booking through bond proceedings, preliminary hearings, indictment, discovery, pretrial litigation, negotiations, and trial when necessary.

How Does Bail Work in Felony Cases in Nashville?

After an arrest, you’re booked and appear for a bond determination. The court considers the charge, your relevant history, proposed release conditions, and other information when setting bond.

We prepare for the hearing, explain the conditions the court may impose, and advocate for an appropriate bond based on the case-specific facts. The outcome depends on the allegations and the information presented to the court.

What Are My Rights When Arrested for a Felony in Nashville?

You have the right to remain silent, to avoid self-incrimination, and to have an attorney. Invoking those rights can prevent questioning from continuing without counsel present.

We can advise you before police questioning, explain what to expect during booking and bond proceedings, and begin examining how officers handled the arrest and investigation.

• Arrest, Booking, and Bond Hearing: We address the charge, release conditions, relevant history, and other information the court considers when setting bond.
• Preliminary Hearing: This hearing addresses whether sufficient evidence supports continuing the felony prosecution. It also provides an opportunity to examine testimony and learn more about the prosecution’s allegations.
• Grand Jury Proceedings or Indictment: A felony case can proceed through the grand jury process and result in an indictment. We explain what the indictment alleges and prepare for the next stage in Davidson County Criminal Court.
• Criminal Discovery: Discovery allows us to review evidence before trial or a negotiated resolution. We examine police reports, witness statements, recordings, forensic material, digital evidence, and other disclosed records.
• Pretrial Motions: We identify legal issues that should be presented to the court before trial, including challenges to physical evidence or statements.
• Plea Negotiation and Sentencing Alternatives: While preparing for trial, we engage in tough negotiations with the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office, seeking a reduction in the charges or sentencing alternatives such as Judicial Diversion for certain first-time offenders or Suspended Sentence/Probation to avoid state prison time. These options depend on the facts, your eligibility, and the applicable law, and the decision to accept or reject an offer remains yours.
• Additional Sentencing Options: When realistic for your case, we also discuss treatment-based programs and other alternative sentencing options. Eligibility and availability are case-specific.

Suppression Motions

A motion to suppress asks the court to exclude evidence obtained in violation of constitutional protections. We review how officers obtained physical, digital, or documentary evidence and whether the search, seizure, or warrant presents a valid basis for a challenge. If the facts support a motion, we present the constitutional issue before trial.

Miranda Challenges

Miranda rights protect you during custodial interrogation. We review when questioning occurred, whether you were in custody, what warnings officers gave, and whether you made statements after invoking the right to remain silent or requesting counsel. A challenge depends on the circumstances surrounding the questioning and the statements at issue.

Why Local Support for Felony Defense in Nashville Matters

Felony preliminary hearings in Nashville take place in Davidson County General Sessions Court before a case proceeds to Davidson County Criminal Court. Felony jail dockets and bond dockets are heard in the Justice A.A. Birch Building. Knowing which court has your case and what happens next allows us to prepare for the correct proceeding.

We’re familiar with how felony cases move through both courts. That familiarity helps us track deadlines, organize evidence, prepare for hearings, and explain local procedure without making unsupported assumptions about how a particular judge or prosecutor will handle your case.

Our representation addresses the following local stages:

• Bond proceedings following an arrest and booking.
• Preliminary hearings addressing whether the prosecution has enough evidence to continue the case.
• Grand jury indictments that move felony allegations to the trial-level court.
• Trial-level court proceedings involving discovery, motions, negotiations, trial preparation, or sentencing.

Every case follows its own timeline based on the charge, custody status, court calendar, and contested issues. We represent people facing felony charges in Nashville and the surrounding areas, with clear communication about upcoming dates and required decisions.

Commonly Asked Questions

The answers to these questions depend on the alleged offense, the case’s disposition, and the law that applies to your circumstances.

Can a Felony Be Expunged in Tennessee?

Some felony records are eligible for expungement, but eligibility depends on the offense, the disposition, completion of applicable requirements, and current Tennessee law. A dismissal is treated differently from a felony conviction.

We assist clients in reviewing their records and exploring expungement options where applicable.

What Are Tennessee’s Felony Prosecution Deadlines?

Tennessee generally allows prosecution within 15 years for Class A felonies, eight years for Class B felonies, four years for Class C or D felonies, and two years for E felonies. Offenses punishable by death or life imprisonment can be prosecuted at any time.

The calculation can depend on the alleged offense and facts affecting the limitations period.

Reach Out to Our Felony Attorney in Nashville Today

Early legal contact gives us more opportunity to examine the allegations, preserve relevant information, prepare for a bond or preliminary hearing, and identify deadlines. During a free initial consultation, we can discuss the charge, where your case stands, and the procedural options that apply.

Our approach combines personalized attention with direct communication. We explain the available path without promising a result, then prepare for negotiation or trial based on the evidence and your decisions.

We’re ready to defend your rights in your criminal defense case. Our contact page and phone line at (615) 745-3434 are available when you’re ready to speak with us.

A free initial consultation with The Law Office of Lucas B. Willoughby gives us an opportunity to explain the next steps and begin assessing the evidence and procedures that affect your case.

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