Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Alcohol, University of Tennessee football and enthusiastic fans are all classic elements of football season in Tennessee. However, as our Tennessee criminal attorneys know, the wrong combination of those elements can lead to criminal charges such as disorderly conduct, public intoxication and underage consumption. Three University of Tennessee football players dealt with the Tennessee courts after being charged with underage consumption and disorderly conduct in November of 2006. The charges were related to events that occurred the night following a football game. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2650347.

Underage consumption occurs when any person under the age of twenty-one consumes alcohol. In the experience of our Tennessee criminal attorneys, criminal charges can result when a person under twenty-one years of age transports alcohol. An exception exists if the person is over eighteen years old and is transporting the alcohol in the course of their employment. Underage consumption is a Class A misdemeanor. Conviction can carry a sentence of up to eleven months and twenty-nine days and a fine up to two thousand five hundred dollars.

The recently charged UT football players faced charges of underage consumption as well as disorderly conduct. Our Tennessee criminal attorneys find that this combination of charges is very common. Disorderly conduct occurs when a person engages in fighting or violent and threatening behavior in a public place. Our Tennessee attorneys also find that refusal to obey an official order to disperse in the case of an emergency can result in a charge of disorderly conduct. Additionally, unreasonable noise that prevents others from carrying on lawful activities is disorderly conduct.

Often, those facing underage consumption and disorderly conduct charges may also be charged with public intoxication. Our criminal attorneys also frequently represent clients facing charges of public intoxication. Our Tennessee criminal attorneys find that public intoxication charges may result when a person appears in a public place under the influence of a controlled substance or other intoxication substance. The person must be intoxicated to the point where he or she is endangering himself or herself or others in the vicinity. Additionally, public intoxication charges may result when a person is publicly intoxicated enough to annoy other persons in the vicinity. Disorderly conduct and public intoxication is a Class C misdemeanor and can result in a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a fine of fifty ($50.00) dollars.

Our Tennessee criminal attorneys understand that any criminal charges can have long-lasting effects on you and your family. It’s very important to find an experienced Tennessee criminal attorney to protect your rights. Our Tennessee criminal attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of your case and actively pursue the best possible resolution for you and your family.