Getting Arrested While Visiting Nashville
Nashville is a major tourism hub, attracting more than 15 million visitors each year. If you are one of these people and you were arrested while visiting the city, you might be wondering about what happens next. What if you need to return to your home state or city for work? How do you attend court in the future? How can a Nashville defense attorney help you fight for your rights?
The First Step is to Secure Your Release
Before you consider what might happen during the next stages of your prosecution, you should focus on securing your release. Once you are released from police custody, it will be easier to plan the next stages of your defense.
Call a local lawyer in Nashville and discuss the potential for bail. If you have committed a relatively minor offense, you might be eligible for “release on your own recognizance” (ROR). This type of release is free, but it comes with various conditions and requirements.
If you have committed a more serious offense, you may be able to post bail. If you cannot afford bail, you can speak with a bail bondsman to discuss your options. If you are accused of a more serious offense, bail might be impossible. You may be designated as a “flight risk,” especially if you live in another state or country.
Can I Return Home After My Release?
You may be able to return home after your release on bail. However, this all depends on the conditions of your bail. The court may implement travel restrictions, preventing you from leaving the state. You might also need to surrender your driver’s license or passport, making long-distance travel impossible. This could be problematic if you have work commitments outside of Tennessee. However, you may have no choice but to stay within the state, as attempting to leave the state may make your situation much worse.
If you have been accused of a less serious offense, you may be allowed to leave the state without much of an issue. However, you might still need to return to Tennessee to attend your court dates. In some cases, courts allow local Tennessee lawyers to represent you during these court dates – even if you are not physically present. This could be a valid option, and you might want to discuss it with your local attorney.
At the end of the day, it makes sense to resolve this situation as quickly and as effectively as possible. A trial could be too time-consuming if you are forced to travel back and forth, and so a plea deal could be more appropriate based on your circumstances.
Can a Nashville Defense Lawyer Help Me?
Even if you live outside of Tennessee, it still makes sense to hire a defense attorney in Nashville. These local lawyers are familiar with Tennessee laws and how state courts operate. It makes more sense to hire them rather than a lawyer in your own state who may be unfamiliar with local laws and regulations. Choose The Law Offices of John T. Crain – and schedule a consultation today to get started.