Most people hire a criminal defense attorney under pressure, often within days of an arrest and before a first court date in Lebanon. A short consultation is your chance to find out whether a lawyer fits your case. Turnbow Law, a Mt. Juliet practice led by Chad Turnbow, Esq., represents clients in criminal matters across Wilson County and Middle Tennessee. The nine questions below will help you compare attorneys, and a list of local lawyers who handle criminal cases follows.
What should you ask a criminal defense lawyer before hiring one?
How much of your practice is criminal defense?
Ask for a rough percentage. Many lawyers in smaller counties run general practices that mix divorce, wills, and injury work with criminal cases. That can work well, but you should know how often the attorney handles charges like yours, whether that’s a first-offense DUI or a felony drug case.
Do you regularly appear in Wilson County courts?
Local experience matters because procedures differ from county to county. Most cases start in Wilson County General Sessions Court. Felonies that are bound over, meaning sent up to the grand jury, go to Criminal Court in the 15th Judicial District, which covers Wilson, Trousdale, Smith, Macon, and Jackson counties. Ask how often the lawyer is in those courtrooms.
Who will actually work on my case?
Find out whether the attorney you meet with will appear at your hearings or hand the file to an associate. Both setups are common. What matters is knowing who to call with questions and who will stand beside you in court.
How do your fees work, and what do they cover?
Get the fee terms in writing. Criminal defense lawyers usually charge a flat fee or an hourly rate, and some price a trial separately from pretrial work. Tennessee Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 prohibits contingency fees in criminal cases. It also requires that any nonrefundable fee be agreed to in a writing signed by the client.
What outcomes are realistic for my charge?
A good answer lays out options, not promises. Depending on the facts, those might include dismissal, a reduced charge, judicial diversion, or trial. Tennessee’s ethics rules bar lawyers from creating unjustified expectations, so be cautious of anyone who guarantees a result.
How will you keep me updated?
Ask how quickly calls and emails get returned and whether you’ll hear about court dates in advance. Rule 1.4 of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct requires lawyers to keep clients reasonably informed, but habits vary from office to office.
How could this affect my job, license, or immigration status?
A conviction can reach well beyond the sentence. A DUI can cost you your driver’s license, some offenses can affect professional licenses, and noncitizens may face deportation. In Padilla v. Kentucky (2010), the U.S. Supreme Court held that defense counsel must advise clients about deportation risks tied to a guilty plea.
Are you in good standing with the Board of Professional Responsibility?
You can check this yourself. The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility maintains an online attorney search that shows license status and any public discipline. The search takes a couple of minutes and is worth doing before you sign anything.
What should I do before my next court date?
A lawyer worth hiring will give you practical direction right away. That usually means following every bond condition, staying off social media about the case, saving relevant texts and receipts, and avoiding contact with anyone involved.
Which attorneys handle criminal cases in and around Wilson County?
- Turnbow Law
- Lowery, Lowery & Cherry
- Whitaker Law Office
- Law Offices of Chris Reynolds, PLLC
- Carla Grebert
1. Turnbow Law
Chad Turnbow, Esq. leads Turnbow Law, which represents clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies in Wilson County and throughout Middle Tennessee, including Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Portland, and Nashville. The firm’s practice areas include DUI, drug charges, assault and violent crimes, domestic violence, theft and property crimes, probation violations, and juvenile matters. During a consultation, the firm can walk through the questions above, including how a case is likely to move through General Sessions Court and what the fee covers. Turnbow Law also handles probate and estate planning. Results depend on the facts of each case.
2. Lowery, Lowery & Cherry
Lowery, Lowery & Cherry is a Lebanon law firm whose practice includes criminal defense.
3. Whitaker Law Office
Whitaker Law Office is a Lebanon law office that handles criminal law matters.
4. Law Offices of Chris Reynolds, PLLC
The Law Offices of Chris Reynolds is located near Mt. Juliet, serves Wilson County clients, and includes criminal defense among its practice areas.
5. Carla Grebert
Carla Grebert is a Nashville attorney whose practice includes criminal law.
What matters most when choosing a defense lawyer?
The right attorney answers these questions plainly and puts the terms in writing. Spending a little time comparing two or three lawyers before your first court date can save months of frustration later. If you’re facing a charge in Wilson County or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee, contact Turnbow Law to schedule a consultation and ask these questions yourself.
This article offers general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
