Arrested in Nashville or Racing Tennessee's One-Year Injury Clock? Get Answers Now.

I was just arrested in Nashville. What do I do right now?

Stay calm and say as little as possible until you understand the charge — anything you say can be used against you. In Tennessee, your first appearance usually happens fast in General Sessions Court (felony matters in Davidson County run through the Justice A. A. Birch Building), where bail and next steps are addressed. Call Legal Hotline at 1-844-690-0555 any hour for free information about how the process works and what to expect, then book a Tennessee-licensed defense attorney for a paid consultation. This is legal information, not legal advice, and calling forms no attorney-client relationship.

Can a DUI be expunged in Tennessee?

No. A Tennessee DUI conviction under T.C.A. § 55-10-401 is one of the very few misdemeanors that can NEVER be expunged — it stays on your record permanently. Even a first offense carries a mandatory minimum 48 hours in jail (seven consecutive days if your BAC is .15% or higher, under the law that took effect July 1, 2024), plus license revocation under the implied-consent law. Because the stakes are permanent, it's worth understanding your options before your General Sessions arraignment. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information about Tennessee DUI law, then book a TN-licensed attorney if you need representation. Information, not legal advice.

How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Tennessee?

Usually just one year. Under T.C.A. § 28-3-104, most Tennessee personal-injury claims must be filed within ONE YEAR of the injury — one of the shortest deadlines in the country. Tennessee also uses modified comparative fault: your recovery shrinks by your share of blame, and you get nothing if found 50% or more at fault. A separate rule (§ 20-1-119) can give you 90 extra days to add a newly-blamed party. Because the clock is short and fault is everything, don't wait. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information, then book a Tennessee attorney. Information, not advice.

Is Tennessee a no-fault divorce state?

Not purely. Tennessee recognizes traditional fault grounds — adultery, cruelty, abandonment and others — under Title 36. True no-fault is available only two ways: 'irreconcilable differences' when BOTH spouses agree and sign a marital dissolution agreement (plus a permanent parenting plan if there are minor children), or living apart continuously for two years with no minor children. Contested couples must litigate fault, which catches many self-filers off guard. Divorces are heard in Chancery or Circuit Court. Call Legal Hotline at 1-844-690-0555 for free information on which path fits your situation, then book a TN family attorney if needed. Information, not advice.

I was served an eviction notice in Memphis. How fast does this move?

Fast. In Tennessee, eviction (detainer) actions are filed and heard in General Sessions Court — in Shelby County that's the Memphis docket — and they move on a short timeline, so don't ignore the paperwork. You have rights under Tennessee's landlord-tenant law (Title 66), and the details depend on whether your county is covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Show up to your hearing. Call 1-844-690-0555 any hour for free information about the detainer process and your tenant rights, then book a Tennessee attorney for a paid consultation if you need one. Information, not legal advice.

Who's liable if a dog bites me in Tennessee?

It depends on where the bite happened. Under T.C.A. § 44-8-413, an owner is strictly liable if the dog was running at large or wasn't under reasonable control. But under Tennessee's 'residential exclusion,' if you were bitten while on the dog owner's own residential, farm or noncommercial property, you generally must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous — a 'one-bite'-style rule. Location can change the entire case. And remember Tennessee's one-year filing deadline. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information, then book a Tennessee attorney if you want to pursue a claim. Information, not advice.

Do I really need a lawyer, or can I handle this myself?

Some Tennessee matters — minor traffic, uncontested irreconcilable-differences divorces — people handle alone using the AOC's court-approved forms and Justice For All TN guides. Others, like any DUI (which can never be expunged), felony charges, contested custody, or an injury claim against the one-year clock, are high-stakes enough that representation usually pays for itself. The honest answer depends on your facts. Call Legal Hotline at 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to talk it through and get clear information about your situation. If you decide you need a lawyer, we can book a paid consultation with a Tennessee-licensed attorney. Information, not legal advice.

How do I get an order of protection in Tennessee?

Orders of protection in Tennessee are filed at the courthouse — often through Circuit, Chancery or General Sessions Court depending on your county — and the court can issue a temporary (ex parte) order quickly when there's an immediate threat, followed by a full hearing, usually within 15 days. There is no filing fee to seek one. If you're in danger right now, call 911. For free information about how the order-of-protection process works in your Tennessee county and what to bring, call Legal Hotline at 1-844-690-0555 any hour. We can also book a Tennessee-licensed attorney for a paid consultation. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Is Legal Hotline a law firm, and is the call really free?

The call is genuinely free, 24/7, with no income test — and yes, you speak with our AI legal assistant immediately, not a callback line. Legal Hotline is NOT a law firm and the AI is not a lawyer; it gives general legal information based on Tennessee and federal law, not legal advice applied to your specific facts, and calling forms no attorney-client relationship. If you need representation, we offer to book a paid consultation with an attorney licensed in Tennessee. We complement — not replace — the state's bar referral services and legal-aid agencies. Call 1-844-690-0555.