Tennessee Criminal Lawyers

Do you know a cop? If so, he might know more about you than you would like. A new database was rolled out in 2006 giving officers across the state access to loads of personal information and with little accountability.

The Tennessean first broke this story last month when it became obvious that lack of training and information about the system had officers searching for friends, dates, ex wives, and even celebrities on the system, looking for whatever information they could find. A system designed to streamline many processes and make information more accessible perhaps went too far, giving access to anyone with access to a police computer.

So what information can they find about you with the click of a mouse? Everything from your tax records, criminal history, photos, driving records, social security numbers, and even your address. While you would think this information would be safe with the policed, many have been found abusing their informational power.

What are they doing to fix it? Obviously those who have been discovered misusing the system have been spoken to. The department is also working on further training for officers. But in the mean time, doesn’t it feel a little strange to know that an officer can pull up your photo and address?

This is the day and age of information, but when is the line crossed and your privacy invaded? The Department should be taking every precaution to ensure that this information is not misused and that officers are accountable for everything they look at.

Although the police are there to protect and serve, this is not the first instance of police misusing power. According to many, it is abused in various ways, daily. Perhaps you feel you were treated unfairly by the police and are now facing criminal charges.  Having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in the world.

Columbia is facing the highest crime rates in Tennessee for any city about 10,000 citizens, according to recent news reports. The violent crime rate rose to 14.7 incidents per 1000 residents, which is nearly twice the Tennessee statewide average.

As reported in the Daily Herald:

Columbia’s relatively high violent crime rate contrasts sharply with neighboring cities. Spring Hill’s violent crime rate is 1.4, Brentwood’s is less than 1 and Franklin, which has a larger population than Columbia by more than 20,000 residents, has a violent crime rate of only 1.8. Columbia recorded more incidents of violent crime than these three cities combined.

The increasing crime rates are likely tied to reduced economic opportunity, higher unemployment and poverty rates, and increased drug and gang activity.

The city is likely to face continued problems, as law enforcement budgets are flat as city budgets across Tennessee are squeezed.

One noteworthy fact for criminal defense advocates in this new report is that the director of the Columbia Housing Authority is emphasizing increased background checks by landlords seeking to rent apartments.

The strong trend in criminal background checks nationwide for common financial transactions continues to increase the stakes and difficulties that face anyone convicted of a crime in Tennessee.

Because of the availability and use of cheap background checks, if you are accused of any misdemeanor crime in Tennessee, it makes sense to fully evaluate you options in defending and fighting the charges you are accused of. Pleading guilty, even to a seemingly minor charge, will result in a criminal record. And with that information becoming so easily accessible and commonly accessed, that conviction could come back to haunt you in a hundred ways you may not be thinking about now.

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If you are accused of a crime in Tennessee, please contact our experience criminal defense lawyers for a complete case evaulation on your legal defense options. The consultation is free.