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Maryville Criminal Defense Lawyers

Experienced defense lawyers, if you’ve been charged with a crime

An arrest is frightening. Whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, your freedom is at stake. A conviction can result in prison time, large fines, and damage to your reputation. You will likely face secondary penalties such as difficulty finding work or a place to live. At Delius, McKenzie & McCarter, we have 20 years of experience providing strong representation for criminal defendants.

Our record of success protecting the accused includes helping defendants charged with drug offenses, DUI offenses, a murder charge, rape, an aggravated assault charge, and other serious criminal charges obtain dismissals or acquittals. While we cannot guarantee results, our Maryville criminal defense lawyers understand what defenses to assert, how to work with prosecutors when necessary, how to contest the positions of prosecutors, and how to persuasively argue your rights before a judge and jury. Contact us today if you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Blount County.

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What types of criminal cases do you handle in Maryville?

At Delius, McKenzie & McCarter, we represent defendants who have been charged with federal and Tennessee crimes. We handle felony charges and misdemeanor charges. Our Maryville defense lawyers handle the following types of criminal cases, among others:

  • Capital cases. A capital case is a first-degree murder case in which the State has filed notice seeking the death penalty under Tennessee law. Capital cases are often high-profile cases, which means the prosecution often works aggressively to obtain a conviction, and the press and public will continually want to keep your name in the public eye.
  • Murder charges. These charges include first-degree murder, second-degree murder, felony murder, voluntary manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and vehicular homicide.
  • Rape and sexual assault charges. These offenses include rape, aggravated rape, statutory rape, and rape of a child. The term ‘sexual assault’ is a general description; Tennessee law defines specific offenses such as aggravated sexual battery, sexual battery, statutory rape, and related crimes. If convicted of certain offenses, a defendant may be required to register as a sexual offender under Tennessee law.
  • DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) offenses. Our Maryville DUI defense lawyers represent first-time offenders and repeat offenders. We handle Tennessee DUI charges and DUI cases arising on federal property. We fight to show that the police did not have grounds to arrest you, that breath and field sobriety tests are invalid, and we assert other legal and factual defenses.
  • Drug charges. Our criminal defense lawyers represent defendants charged with knowingly manufacturing, delivering, or selling a controlled substance, or possessing a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell the controlled substance. We also represent defendants who are charged with the simple possession or casual exchange of a controlled substance (including marijuana). The charges and penalties vary depending on the type of controlled substance, the quantity of the drug involved, and any indicators that the defendant intended to sell the drugs.
  • White collar crimes. These crimes are often federal crimes. White collar crimes generally involve financial motivations. The defendants may include individuals, businesses, and people who work for the government. White collar crimes include fraud (including bank fraud), embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, and other nonviolent financial crimes. White collar crimes usually involve complex schemes, laws, and regulations.
  • Theft charges. At Delius, McKenzie & McCarter, we represent defendants charged with nonviolent and violent theft offenses, such as shoplifting and armed robbery. For theft offenses like shoplifting, penalties often depend on the value and other factors; for robbery-related offenses, penalties depend primarily on the use of force/fear, weapons, and injury.
  • Other crimes. We also handle most other criminal cases.

What are the different phases of a criminal defense case in Tennessee?

Our Maryville defense lawyers represent defendants at the various stages of a criminal case from the initial arrest through the resolution of your case. These phases may include the following:

  • The arrest
  • A bail hearing
  • An arraignment, where a defendant is formally charged with a crime
  • A preliminary hearing where federal or state law authorizes
  • Motions to suppress evidence that was illegally obtained
  • Other motions that involve criminal procedure, the rules of evidence, and many other aspects of your case
  • Requests for discovery, including exculpatory evidence required to be disclosed under the Brady rule
  • Reviewing alternatives to incarceration
  • Plea reduction negotiations with the prosecution
  • Motions to dismiss the criminal charges
  • Jury selection
  • The trial of your case before a judge and jury
  • Sentencing hearings
  • Probation violations

What types of defenses do you assert for defendants?

At Delius, McKenzie & McCarter, we work to develop a strong strategy to assert your rights, obtain dismissals, negotiate plea reductions, and obtain acquittals. The defenses vary depending on the specific criminal charges. Some of the defenses we may assert include the following:

  • Your Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures; generally, warrants must be supported by probable cause unless a recognized exception applies.
  • Your Fifth Amendment right to be free from self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and other protections.
  • Your Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial, to be informed of the charges against you, to have the assistance of counsel, and to question the witnesses against you.
  • The right to the presumption of innocence.
  • The requirement that the prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • The lack of intent for charges that require intent.
  • Asserting, where the law permits, that you had consent, an alibi, or other defenses.
  • The failure of the police to comply with necessary procedures.
  • Breaks in the chain of custody of evidence.
  • Many other defenses, depending on the specific charge and what happened.

What are the penalties for criminal offenses in Tennessee?

The penalties for crimes generally depend on the specific charge, whether you have a prior conviction, and many other factors.

Many offenses are classified as felonies (A–E) or misdemeanors (A–C), though some offenses have unclassified or offense-specific penalty schemes set by statute.

The penalties for felonies and misdemeanors can include imprisonment and fines. Some defendants may receive probation.

What are the alternatives to incarceration in Maryville?

According to Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-104, courts may impose non-incarcerative alternatives in appropriate cases, such as fines, restitution, probation-based options, community service, and certain treatment programs.

Do you have a Maryville criminal defense lawyer near me?

We meet defendants at our office located at 124 Court Avenue in Sevierville, TN. If you or someone you know is in custody, we can make arrangements to see the defendant where they are being detained. Our attorneys also discuss cases by phone and through online video platforms.

We’re here to answer your questions and fight for your freedom and reputation.

We also represent defendants in the Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge regions.

Speak with an accomplished Maryville criminal defense lawyer today

If you’ve been charged with any crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer at your side. Delius, McKenzie & McCarter have tried numerous criminal cases before juries. Our defense lawyers understand how complex every criminal case is. We understand how to speak with prosecutors and present cases before judges and juries. To assert your defenses, please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.