Police cannot search every car they stop in Tennessee; when a search is legal depends on specific rules under the Fourth Amendment and Tennessee law. Understanding these basics can help you protect your rights and know when to call a lawyer.
View PostA criminal charge for drug possession or theft can threaten far more than your record and reputation. For licensed professionals in Tennessee - nurses, teachers, real estate agents, health‑care workers, accountants, and others, one allegation can put your entire career at risk. If you hold a professional license and are facing a drug or theft charge, you need to think about defending both your freedom and your livelihood at the same time.
View PostCar accidents happen fast, but your actions afterward can determine your safety, legal rights, and financial recovery. In Wilson County, traffic crashes have shown a steady upward trend in recent years, according to Tennessee Department of Safety data, with the county consistently ranking among Middle Tennessee's highest-crash areas due to population growth and I-40 congestion. Hagar & Phillips in Lebanon guides injured drivers through this process every day.
View PostDrug charges in Tennessee represent some of the most serious criminal allegations residents face, with penalties that can range from months in jail to decades in prison. Whether stemming from a traffic stop on I-40, a workplace search, or a domestic incident, these cases carry immediate and long-term consequences far beyond the courtroom. For Middle Tennessee families, understanding the scope of these charges proves essential when legal trouble arises.
View PostInvestigative reports centered in the Nashville media market uncovered that “sober DUI” arrests are not rare one‑off mistakes but part of a broader pattern across Tennessee. Check out FOX 17 News' detailed report on 419 'sober DUI' arrests in 2024, which shows a nine-fold jump from the previous year.
View PostTennessee health professionals facing a board complaint or investigation know how much is at stake: your career, reputation, and ability to practice. Before you trust anyone with that, it helps to ask the right questions. Below are ten smart questions to ask before you hire a medical license defense lawyer in Tennessee, plus why the answers matter.
View PostTennessee’s DUI laws just got tougher in 2026. Anyone who drives in this state, especially those already dealing with a DUI or implied consent charge, needs to understand how these changes raise the stakes for refusing tests, losing their license, and challenging evidence in court. While laws are subject to change, this overview highlights the most important changes and explains how Hagar & Phillips can help protect your rights under the new rules.
View PostWhen a Tennessee health‑care professional is notified of a complaint, it can threaten reputation, employment, and the ability to practice. Understanding the basic steps of the investigation helps you respond strategically rather than out of fear. Recognizing that processes can change, we wanted to provide an overview that applies broadly to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, advanced practice providers, therapists, and other licensed medical professionals in Tennessee.
View PostHagar & Phillips, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, is pleased to announce that Hope Ford has officially joined the firm as an attorney following her admission to the Tennessee Bar. Ford’s transition to attorney marks a significant expansion for the firm, which will now bolster its legal services in the areas of criminal defense and DUI representation for clients in Wilson County and surrounding areas.
View PostWhen people talk about DUI laws in Tennessee, one phrase that often comes up is “implied consent.” But what does that really mean? How does the law work in real cases? What are the risks and possible defenses? In this post, we’ll dig into the finer points of Tennessee’s implied consent doctrine, beyond the basic definition, and provide guidance for drivers who might be facing implied consent issues.
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