Nashville Tourist
Defense Attorney

Nashville is a popular destination city for everything from business conferences to bachelorette parties, and sometimes tourists find themselves in legal trouble while in town. I am a founding partner of the preeminent law firm of Weatherly, McNally & Dixon, P.L.C., and I provide experienced legal counsel to individuals facing a range of criminal charges as a result of their visit to the city.

Tourists who find themselves in legal trouble often find that they are unsure of how to best proceed. I am Patrick McNally, and I will provide the support and guidance you need, defending your interests and fighting to minimize the consequences of your situation. I will work to have charges reduced or dismissed, allowing you to go home and move forward with your life.

Simply leaving town will not make the criminal charges against you disappear. In fact, leaving town without addressing the charges will likely lead to much greater problems in the future. Tourists often underestimate how serious their charges are. You should work with a local legal ally who can fight on your behalf and minimize the number of times you will have to return to the city for legal reasons.

I have more than 35 years of experience in criminal defense, and I help tourists confront charges associated with the following:

• Drunk driving charges
• Various alcohol-related offenses
• Aggravated assault and other assault charges
• Sex crimes/solicitation
• Marijuana offenses/other drug offenses

If you are a tourist faced with charges in Nashville, there are a few things you should know to better understand your situation, options, and how to get the best help resolving the issue.

Facing charges or possible arrest is rattling and scary under any circumstances, but it can be even more overwhelming when you are away from home when the charges take place. Most tourists in Nashville who find themselves facing legal trouble are charged with a misdemeanor.

A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony and is often the result of a DUI, other alcohol-related offenses, aggravated assault, marijuana offenses, and others. In most states, misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in prison. While a misdemeanor is less serious than a felony, it can still result in loss of freedom, fines, loss of a job, possible jail time, and stress.

Facing misdemeanor or other legal charges in another state can make the legal process especially challenging and frustrating. It is imperative that if you are convicted of a crime in another state, you immediately seek the help and guidance of a local criminal defense attorney familiar with the laws and practices of that particular state.

If you are charged with a crime while visiting the state of Tennessee, your case falls under Tennessee state jurisdiction. That means you will be tried in Tennessee, under Tennessee state laws, even if you are a resident of another state. For most out-of-state misdemeanor charges, you do not have to appear in court if you have a local attorney stand for you during the court proceedings. If you are facing more serious charges or felony charges, you will most likely not be afforded this luxury and will have to appear in court.

No one wants to end their vacation by seeking out legal advice. However, if you find yourself facing charges in Nashville, you must seek help from a local criminal defense attorney and begin taking care of the situation before returning home. If you leave town without addressing the charges, even a minor charge could turn into something much bigger, like a warrant. Having a warrant in another state could lead to the loss of a job and failure to pass a background test.

Failure to address a charge or to show up in court in another state could also lead to extradition back to the state where the charge occurred, which is something to be avoided. Extradition can result in excessive fees on top of the fines and punishments you might already be facing. Luckily, this can all be avoided by contacting a local criminal defense attorney right away.

You should talk to a defense attorney right away if you are being charged with any crime, whether in your home state or elsewhere. However, it is especially important that if you are charged with a crime in another state, you consult a criminal defense attorney who practices law in that state. For example, if you are charged with a misdemeanor while on vacation in Nashville, but you live in Florida, it’s imperative that you seek the guidance of a lawyer with experience practicing law in Tennessee. You should always seek the counsel of a defense attorney from the state where the charges took place for several reasons:

1. Lawyers can only practice law in the state in which they passed the bar. Generally, lawyers are only licensed to practice law in whichever state they passed their bar exam. That means the lawyer who advises you and practices law back home in Florida may not legally be able to defend you in court in the state of Tennessee.
2. Every state has its own set of rules, laws, and regulations. Because every state is different, hiring a local criminal defense attorney who is well versed in Tennessee state laws and practices will be much more knowledgeable about how best to proceed with your case. A local attorney will be more equipped to defend you successfully in a Tennessee court of law and get the best results possible for your case.
3. Familiarity with the system. As a local defense attorney, I am familiar with the judges and prosecuting attorneys here in Nashville. I will explain to you how they are likely to handle an out-of-state defendant and how your case is likely to go in court. 
4. A better financial option. Even if your out-of-state defense attorney is licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee, this could be a much more expensive option for you. Because an out-of-state defense lawyer would have to travel to and from Nashville to represent you during your court dates, you would be billed for lots of expensive travel time. Hiring a defense attorney in Nashville instead will totally eliminate these unnecessary costs.

Seeking local knowledge and expertise is important in any field. If you are looking to buy a house in another city or a different state, a local realtor would have a much better understanding of the options available to you and be able to provide you with more informed advice. The same is true in a court of law.

With more than 35 years of experience practicing law, I am prepared to help you navigate this difficult situation. Whether you are facing an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony charges due to your visit to Nashville, I can provide you with the legal counsel you need. I will do all in my power to help you resolve the situation in the best way possible. My expertise and experience practicing law here in Nashville has given me extensive knowledge on our specific state laws and requirements and will enable me to counsel you on what to expect from your charges and how best to proceed.

I offer free initial consultations to Tennessee and Kentucky residents and any tourists who find themselves in legal trouble after visiting Nashville. You can benefit from a complete evaluation of your case, and I can explain what you can expect, as well as the defense options available to you.

You can make your appointment by contacting our office online, or you may call locally or toll-free at 800-785-9546 or 615-200-9559.