Felonies Seeking Justice for Residents of Tennessee for Over 30 Years

Franklin Felony Defense Lawyer

Direct Attorney Access When the Stakes Are Highest

A felony charge can reshape every area of your life, from where you live and work to your custody rights and professional licenses. When you call Dana McLendon Law, you reach me directly. Not a secretary, not intake staff. I’ve practiced criminal defense in Tennessee state and federal trial and appellate courts since 1993, and every felony client I take on works with me personally from the first call through the resolution of the case.

That matters here. Felony cases move fast, and the decisions made immediately after an arrest, including what to say and who to call, can close off options that would otherwise be available later. I handle both criminal defense and family law, which means I can see downstream consequences that a single-practice attorney may miss: custody implications, professional licensing risks, and collateral effects that surface months after a plea or verdict. My practice is fully digital, which keeps cases organized and moving without overhead costs passed on to you. Free initial consultations are available.

I’m a felony attorney in Franklin ready to start building your defense from day one. Call Dana McLendon Law at (615) 437-6320 to schedule your free consultation.

Felony Crimes I Defend

Tennessee classifies most felonies from Class A through Class E, and the class assigned to your charge determines your sentencing exposure, fines, and long-term consequences. The classification isn’t always obvious from the facts, and prosecutors have discretion in how they charge certain offenses. I handle felony defense across the full range of categories, including:

Certain Theft crimes
Certain Sex offenses, such as rape
Certain Drug crimes
Aggravated assault
Assault with a deadly weapon
Hate crimes
Manslaughter
Kidnapping
Murder

The full breakdown of Tennessee’s felony classification system, including prison sentence ranges and fines for each class, is covered in the section below.

What a Felony Conviction Can Cost You

Law enforcement sometimes uses the severity of potential penalties as leverage during questioning. You aren’t required to answer without an attorney present, and you shouldn’t. A felony conviction creates a permanent criminal record that surfaces in housing applications, employment background checks, and financial assistance reviews, and the consequences extend well beyond those initial barriers.

Tennessee felons lose the right to vote during incarceration, probation, and parole. Restoring voting rights isn’t automatic; it typically requires a court order and meeting specific conditions, and certain serious convictions result in permanent disenfranchisement. Felons also lose the right to possess firearms. Professional licenses in healthcare, law, education, and finance may be suspended, revoked, or denied entirely. For non-citizens, a felony conviction can trigger deportation or inadmissibility. If you have children, a conviction can affect custody and parental rights in family court, and my combined criminal and family law background helps me account for those issues as I advise you.

I offer free initial consultations. Call my firm today at (615) 437-6320 to get started.

Tennessee Felony Classes & Sentencing Ranges

Tennessee law sorts most felonies into five classes. The class assigned to your charge sets the floor and ceiling for your prison exposure and the maximum fine the court can impose. Understanding where your charge falls is the first step in understanding what you’re actually facing.

Class A: 15 to 60 years in prison, fines up to $50,000. The most serious standard felony class. First-degree murder sits above this classification and can carry life imprisonment.
Class B: 8 to 30 years in prison, fines up to $25,000.
Class C: 3 to 15 years in prison, fines up to $10,000.
Class D: 2 to 12 years in prison, fines up to $5,000.
Class E: 1 to 6 years in prison, fines up to $3,000. The least severe felony class, but still a felony with permanent consequences.

Sentencing is also shaped by your prior criminal history, offense-specific enhancements, and whether mandatory minimums apply. The class on the indictment is the starting point, not necessarily the outcome.

How a Felony Case Moves Through Williamson County Courts

Felony cases in Williamson County follow a defined path through two courts, and where your case stands in that path determines what options are available. Getting involved early gives me the opportunity to challenge the case before it advances and those options close.

General Sessions Court: The Starting Point

Every felony case begins in Williamson County General Sessions Court. This is where your initial appearance occurs, where bond is set, and where the preliminary hearing takes place. At the preliminary hearing, the court determines whether probable cause exists to support the charge moving forward. It’s an early opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence before the case ever reaches a jury.

Circuit Court: Grand Jury Through Trial

If probable cause is found at the preliminary hearing, or if the case is presented directly to a grand jury, the charge is bound over to Williamson County Circuit Court, which serves as the felony criminal court in the 21st Judicial District. The grand jury reviews the prosecution’s evidence and decides whether to issue an indictment. The defense doesn’t present at this stage, but an indictment isn’t the end of the road.

After indictment, you’re arraigned and enter a plea. Pre-trial motions follow, including motions to suppress evidence obtained unlawfully, which can significantly shape the case before trial. Plea negotiations can happen at any point after charges are filed. Whether to accept a plea or take the case to trial is your decision, made with my advice after a full assessment of the evidence and risks. If you’re convicted, the right to appeal remains, and errors in the trial record, improper jury instructions, or sentencing mistakes may support that appeal.

The earlier I get involved, the more of this process I can actively shape on your behalf. If you’re facing a felony charge in Franklin or anywhere in Williamson County, call Dana McLendon Law at (615) 437-6320 for a free initial consultation.