Frank Lannom, Smith County Criminal Defense Attorney
Smith County (Carthage), Tennessee
Many people charged with a crime need the basic facts about the place in which they or a loved one are accused of a crime.
Where Are The Smith County Courts and Law Enforcement Offices?
The Smith County Court Clerk and all Smith County Courts are located at 122 Turner High Circle in the historic courthouse in Carthage, Tennessee. The Smith County Sheriff’s Dept. is located at 222 Justice Drive, Suite 200 in Carthage, and the Sheriff is Steve Hopper. Smith County has two municipal police agencies including the Carthage Police Department (located on the north side of the Cumberland River at 314 Spring Street) and the South Carthage Police Department (located at 106 Old State Hwy 53). Smith County has additional law enforcement presence with the 15th Judicial District Drug Task Force, headquartered in Hartsville, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, which is headquartered in Cookeville. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) make many arrests on I-40 that runs through the Smith County and those arrests include local Smith County residents, residents of other Tennessee counties, and people who are passing through or visiting from out-of-state.
Who are the Court Officials in Smith County?
Carthage is in the 15th Judicial District as is Lebanon (Wilson County), Tennessee, which is where my offices are located. The same Circuit Court Judges and the same Office of the District Attorney General work Smith County as well as Wilson, Trousdale, Macon and Jackson Counties. Tommy Thompson is the elected District Attorney General for all five counties. The General Session Judge in Smith County is the Honorable Michael Collins, who is serving his first term as a judge. General Sessions Court is where most criminal cases begin and end in the county.
Types of Smith County Criminal Charges
Due to the rural nature of Smith County and the relatively small population base, many of the calls my office receive are from people living outside the county who are stopped by law enforcement or who have accidents on I-40, a primary interstate system which brings thousands of cars per day through the County. I and my Associate Attorneys represent a wide range of charges levied against citizens in Smith County, as well as people just passing through the county, with the majority being DUI and drug offenses.
What Should You Expect In Smith County Court?
A perception of wide spread drug abuse among the population of Smith County has led the courts there to institute an extensive variety of unwritten rules pertaining to the operation of the courts. Examples include mandatory drug testing related to diversion and proposed dismissals considered by the courts. I have seen many people incarcerated on what was supposed to be a simple court appearance because they were unfamiliar with Smith County Courts rules and procedures.
Hire A Local Experienced Attorney
Having an attorney experienced with the courts policies and rules is a must before appearing in this jurisdiction. I and my Associate Attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of citizens accused of crimes over the past years in Smith County, Tennessee. If you need local attorneys who have experience in criminal defense in Carthage and the surrounding Smith County area, we can help – please call (615) 444-3995 and your call will be answered 24/7.