Knoxville Criminal Defense Lawyer
John E. Eldridge
A Strong Defense is Important to Your Case:
Individuals convicted of a crime whether through their own admission of guilt or through the determination of a jury are subject to fines, imprisonment, probation and community service, among other penalties in the State of Tennessee. Defending your criminal case in the strongest possible way is critical to your freedom and your future.
The outcome of any criminal case depends upon the facts surrounding the crime charged, the strength of the evidence, the legal validity of law enforcement and courtroom procedure and the goals and strategy of the government and defense. Knoxville, Tennessee criminal defense Attorney John E. Eldridge will navigate you through this complicated legal process.
An Experienced Advocate to Stand Up for Your Rights:
John E. Eldridge has 28 years of experience handling criminal cases in the courts of Knoxville, Tennessee and the surrounding cities and counties of Tennessee, defending cases such as:
- Drunk Driving/ DUI
- Felony Crimes
- Misdemeanors
- Juvenile Matters
- Traffic Offenses
- Federal and State Court
- Robberies
- Burglary
- Assault
- Theft
- Drug Offenses
- Sex Offenses
- Homicide Cases
- Orders of Protection
"When you are charged with a criminal offense, you want an experienced attorney who is trained in the law and knows the criminal justice system. I am a certified criminal law specialist, and have been utilizing the system for 28 years to get the best results for my clients."
-John E. Eldridge
Trust Your Lawyer– He Will Be the One Representing You, Not the Police:
If you have been arrested, or if you are stopped by the police for questioning, remember that your lawyer is the person you should trust. Law enforcement investigators are specifically trained to get people who don't want to talk to them to open up and talk with them anyway. Just politely, but firmly tell the officers, agents or detectives that you will need to retain an attorney before you can speak with them. Do not answer their questions. This cannot be stressed enough.
The U.S. Supreme Court allows police, federal agents and criminal investigators to trick, lie and deceive during the course of their investigations to get the information they want. If you are being investigated for a federal crime or other serious crime, do not answer any questions the officers, detectives or federal agents ask. You have the “right to remain silent” and the “right to an attorney”– use those rights! Schedule an appointment today with Attorney John E. Eldridge, who is specifically experienced with criminal law and procedures.
If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Knoxville, Tennessee criminal defense lawyer, call John Eldridge today at 866-435-3762, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions
Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.
Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.
Serious Violent Crimes and Murder:
By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, homicide, larceny, rape, manslaughter, mayhem and murder.
One of the most serious areas of violent crime is homicide - killing a person, whether lawfully or unlawfully. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are lawful homicides, while criminal homicide, negligent homicide, reckless homicide and vehicular homicide are unlawful homicides. Unlawful homicide comprises the two crimes of murder and manslaughter.
DUI/Driving Under the Influence:
"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.
However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.
Juvenile Delinquency:
Delinquency is a legal term for criminal behavior carried out by a juvenile. Delinquent behavior is divided into two categories: status offenses and delinquency offenses. Status offenses are those acts which would not be considered offenses if committed by an adult, such as school truancy, running away from home, alcohol possession or use, or curfew violations. Juvenile Delinquency offenses involve destruction or theft of property, commission of violent crimes against persons, illegal weapon possession, or the possession or sale of illegal drugs.
Juvenile Court:
Juvenile court is unique and should not be treated as if it were adult court for young clients. While the substantive criminal law is the same in juvenile and adult court, the procedures and sentencing law are substantially different. The consequences of a misstep by an attorney inexperienced in juvenile matters can be devastating. For example, contrary to what many parents believe, a juvenile conviction is not removed from a child's record when he or she turns 18.
Despite the rehabilitative focus of juvenile court, juvenile convictions are counted as criminal history in future cases. They also remain on state criminal records databases and may affect a young person's ability to enter college, obtain employment, financial aid, a driver's license or join the military. Additionally, juvenile convictions can result in commitment to a juvenile detention facility or institution for periods ranging from days to months and even years. Worse, in some cases, a child may end up being prosecuted in adult court where the punishment is even more severe.
If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Knoxville, Tennessee criminal defense attorney, call John Eldridge today at 866-435-3762, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for your free initial consultation.This is the first and most important question. And the best way to answer this question may be to rely on instinct: if your gut feeling is that you should talk to a criminal defense lawyer, you probably are right – seek advice.
The main reasons prompting the need for a criminal defense lawyer are:
- You have been charged in court with a crime. This may occur following an arrest or through a summons to appear in court and answer a criminal complaint or indictment. All people have an absolute constitutional right to the assistance of a lawyer in a criminal court case.
- You have been arrested. If arrested for a potential criminal charge, a referral for criminal charge(s) may be made to the District Attorney in the county of the alleged law violation, or to the prosecutor for the federal district of the alleged violation. If an in-custody interrogation follows the arrest, the person being questioned has an absolute constitutional right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during the questioning.
- You are being investigated for a crime. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors often contact people directly to answer questions about their alleged involvement in a crime.
Just that—an absolute right to remain silent if a person is in custody and is being questioned by police as the suspect of a crime. This is an adversarial setting between the police and the suspect. The police may use various tactics to get a suspect to admit to a crime or make incriminating statements. These tactics may include appealing to a person’s guilt or conscience, engaging in ploys like ‘good-cop/bad-cop,’ lying about the evidence against the person, making promises of leniency or release if the suspect confesses to a crime or outright intimidation. This is such an inherently coercive setting for a person that the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that the now-famous standard Miranda warnings be read to a person before the questioning process begins. You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say will be used against you. You have the right to a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you.
It seems that, despite the warnings, people often ignore these rights and give incriminating statements to police that they later say are false, inaccurate or the result of abuse, coercion or intimidation. Also, people often forget that any communication or information given to police is considered a statement – not just a written or signed statement. These statements will be used against a person – just like the warning says.
An analogy: If you have a baseball bat, and someone tells you that if you hand him the bat he will hit you over the head with it, would you give that person the bat? Think about the right to remain silent the same way – remain tight-lipped and ask for a lawyer.
What is a plea bargain?
Settling a criminal case is usually called a plea bargain. It means that the prosecution and the defense have come to an agreement to resolve the case. The case can be settled at several points during the process, from before it is charged until right before the jury hands down its verdict. Usually, however, the best bargain can be obtained earlier rather than later in the process. And in many cases, it is a question that should be analyzed immediately so that good opportunities for a plea bargain aren’t given up because of pride or inattention.
If I am arrested, can the officer search me?
Yes. Police officers do not need a warrant to conduct a search after making an arrest. After making an arrest, the officer can legally search the person being arrested and the area in the immediate control of the person. Under this exception to the search warrant requirement, an arresting officer may search only the person arrested and the area within which that person might gain possession of a weapon or might destroy or hide evidence
Will I fingerprinted or have to be in a line-up?
You may be required to participate in a lineup, to prepare a sample of your penmanship, or to speak phrases associated with the crime with which you are charged, to put on certain wearing apparel or to give a sample of your hair. You should ask to have your attorney present during any of these procedures. You have an absolute right to counsel, if you are asked to participate in a lineup after you have been formally charged by the prosecuting attorney or indicted by a grand jury.
If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Knoxville, Tennessee criminal lawyer, call John Eldridge today at 866-435-3762, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.
Professional Profile
If you or someone you know in Knoxville, Tennessee or throughout Tennessee needs the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney, please contact John E. Eldridge today at 866-435-3762, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.
FIRM ADDRESS:
John Eldridge
606 W. Main, Suite 350
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: 866-435-3762
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
Attorney Name: John E. Eldridge
Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: State of Tennessee, Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee (federal)
Date Admitted to the Bar: 1979
Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated:
- Emory & Henry College, B.A.
- Florida State University, M.S.
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D.
Professional Memberships & Achievements: Past President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, AV rating in Martindale-Hubbell
Board Certifications (Type & State), if applicable: Criminal Law Specialist, Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization
Available after hours? Yes
Length of time Firm has been together: 27 years
- Ex-University of Tennessee professor sentenced to prison (Knoxville News Sentinel)
He asked for mercy Wednesday but not forgiveness. - Ethics Committee says Lockett should resign (Knoxville News Sentinel)
The Knox County Ethics Committee sent two strong messages Tuesday about Law Director Bill Lockett’s admission that he took clients’ money from his former law firm: The County Commission should censure him and request his resignation.
Additional Questions or need further information?
