A Misdemeanor Charge in Tennessee Is More Serious Than You Might Think
Many people assume a misdemeanor is a minor inconvenience — a fine, maybe some community service, and it's over. In Tennessee, that assumption can cost you. Depending on the charge, a misdemeanor conviction can mean jail time, significant fines, and a permanent record that follows you into job applications, professional licensing, and housing. We are here to help you understand exactly what you are facing and what can be done about it.
How Tennessee Classifies Misdemeanor Charges
Tennessee divides misdemeanors into three classes, and the penalties vary significantly depending on which class applies to your charge. Understanding where your charge falls is the first step toward understanding your exposure.
- Class A Misdemeanor: The most serious category. Carries up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines up to $2,500. Common Class A charges include simple assault, theft under the felony threshold, and possession of marijuana.
- Class B Misdemeanor: Carries up to six months in jail and fines up to $500. Charges in this category often include disorderly conduct and some vandalism offenses.
- Class C Misdemeanor: The least severe class, carrying up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $50. Public intoxication is a common example.
Even a Class C misdemeanor can show up on a background check. For anyone who holds a professional license, works with children, or is subject to a housing application, that record has real consequences long after any sentence is served.
Common Misdemeanor Charges We Handle in West Tennessee
Our office represents clients facing a wide range of misdemeanor charges throughout Madison County and the surrounding area. If you have been charged with any of the following, we can help you evaluate your options.
- Simple assault
- Theft below the felony threshold (petty theft)
- Possession of marijuana (small amount)
- Public intoxication
- Disorderly conduct
- Vandalism
If your charge involves a DUI or a driving-related offense, those situations are handled under separate practice areas. We represent clients facing DUI charges and misdemeanor driving offenses as well — and we can point you in the right direction during your consultation.
Prior Education and Legal Experience
After obtaining her law degree from the University of Florida, Ms. Davies served as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami, Florida. After trying numerous homicide cases, Ms. Davies distinguished herself and was promoted to serve as a Division Chief. During her five years under the guidance of Janet Reno, she honed her trial skills, maintaining integrity and deep care for her clients. After that, Ms. Davies served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., where she prosecuted public corruption and gang homicide cases for ten years. During her fifteen years as a prosecutor, Ms. Davies tried more than 100 jury trials to a verdict.
After taking some time away from law practice to teach law school in Kaliningrad, Russia as a Fulbright Scholar, Ms. Davies returned to the United States to study at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government under the tutelage of David Gergen. Upon graduation, she was honored with the designation of Littauer Fellow in recognition of her leadership and academic excellence.
Ms. Davies returned to Washington, D.C., after obtaining her master’s degree to work on a class action lawsuit against “Big Tobacco.” Shortly after that, anxious to return home to be closer to her family, Ms. Davies decided to return to Florida. Upon moving to Orlando, she focused on helping people in the civil arena. After training under several top-notch personal injury lawyers, Ms. Davies decided to open her firm, where she could take Personal Injury and Family Law cases and give her clients the white-glove treatment they deserved.
Committed to Excellence in Family Law and Personal Injury Law
As founder and manager of The Davies Law Firm, LLC, Ms. Davies gives her clients her undivided attention. Through her thorough preparation and legal tenacity, she has garnered the respect of colleagues and judges. She is fair-minded and solutions-oriented, always trying to serve her clients well. Clients appreciate her straightforward approach in explaining legal options and strategizing to obtain the best possible outcome for them.
Ms. Davies is always prepared to protect her client’s rights and represent their best interests. As a trained collaborative lawyer, she embraces the idea that many family law problems are handled most effectively at the negotiating table, where the parties can craft an agreement that best serves their purposes. However, as a skilled trial attorney, she also understands that some cases will only achieve optimal results through a trial.
Although we have handled hundreds of Family Law and Personal Injury cases, we understand that each comes with unique circumstances. That is why we listen carefully to each client’s story and help prioritize objectives before creating a strategy to help them achieve their goals.
At The Davies Law Firm, LLC, we understand how going through a divorce or suffering a severe injury in an accident can leave you with many questions and make you nervous about your future. We will be glad to review the facts of your case, explain your options, and help you take the first steps toward starting your new life.
What Your Defense Options Actually Look Like
Diversion: A Path That Avoids a Conviction
Tennessee's diversion program is designed specifically for first-time and qualifying offenders. If you are eligible, diversion allows you to complete certain conditions — such as probation, community service, or counseling — without entering a conviction on your record. Successfully completing diversion means the charge can later be dismissed and, in many cases, expunged entirely. An attorney can assess your eligibility from the very start and structure your case to preserve this option.
Expungement: Clearing Your Record After the Fact
Tennessee law allows expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions and completed diversion agreements after a qualifying waiting period. Expungement removes the charge from your public record, which means it will not appear on most background checks. Not every charge qualifies, and the eligibility rules depend on the specific offense, your prior record, and how the case was resolved. We will tell you plainly whether expungement is a realistic outcome for your situation.
Negotiated Reduction or Dismissal
In many misdemeanor cases, the strongest outcome is not a trial verdict — it is a negotiated resolution that reduces the charge, limits the penalty, or results in dismissal. We review the evidence, identify any procedural issues, and work to reach the best available outcome before your case ever reaches a courtroom. Forty-plus years of experience in West Tennessee courts means we know how these cases are handled locally and what realistic outcomes look like.
When a Misdemeanor Feels Like More Than You Can Handle
A charge does not have to define you. One mistake — especially a first offense — does not have to become a permanent part of your story. Tennessee's legal system includes meaningful paths for people who made a single error in judgment and have no prior record. Our job is to find the best available path for your specific situation and help you move forward.
Why Representation Matters on a Misdemeanor Case
It is easy to think you can handle a misdemeanor on your own, or that the court will go easy on you without a lawyer. That may or may not be true — but without legal counsel, you have no way to know whether you are leaving a better outcome on the table.
- A conviction that could have been diverted becomes a permanent record.
- A charge that qualified for expungement gets resolved in a way that forecloses that option.
- A negotiated reduction never gets pursued because no one advocated for it.
- A procedural issue in the evidence goes unnoticed because no one was looking.
We have represented people across West Tennessee in misdemeanor cases for decades. The clients who come to us early — before they have entered a plea or made statements without counsel — consistently have more options available to them. If you have been charged, the time to call is now, not after your first court date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Misdemeanor Charges in Tennessee
Do I really need a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge in Tennessee?
In most cases, yes. A misdemeanor conviction in Tennessee can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent record that affects employment, housing, and professional licenses. An attorney can assess whether you qualify for diversion or expungement, negotiate a reduction, and protect options you may not know you have. The stakes are real even when the charge sounds minor.Can a misdemeanor be expunged from my record in Tennessee?
Many misdemeanor convictions and completed diversion agreements are eligible for expungement in Tennessee after a qualifying waiting period. Eligibility depends on the specific offense, your prior record, and how the case was resolved. An attorney can tell you at the outset whether expungement is a realistic outcome and structure your case to preserve that path.What is Tennessee's diversion program and do I qualify?
Tennessee's judicial diversion program allows qualifying first-time offenders to complete conditions such as probation or community service without entering a formal conviction. If you successfully complete diversion, the charge can be dismissed and later expunged. Eligibility depends on your charge, your criminal history, and the facts of your case. We can assess your eligibility during your consultation.What is the difference between a Class A, Class B, and Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee?
Class A misdemeanors carry up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines up to $2,500. Class B misdemeanors carry up to six months in jail and fines up to $500. Class C misdemeanors carry up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $50. All three classes can appear on background checks, which is why even the lowest-level charge is worth addressing with counsel.Where are misdemeanor cases heard in Madison County, Tennessee?
Misdemeanor proceedings in Madison County are handled at the J. Alexander Leech Justice Complex in Jackson, Tennessee. Our office is familiar with the local courts, the process, and what to expect at each stage of a misdemeanor case in this jurisdiction.
Take the First Step Today
Speak With a Misdemeanor Defense Attorney in Jackson, Tennessee
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a misdemeanor in West Tennessee, do not wait to get information. A conversation with our office costs you nothing but a few minutes, and it can make a significant difference in what options remain available to you. We are here, we are plain-spoken, and we are not here to judge — we are here to help. Call us at 731-423-1888, text us at 731-244-2868, or reach out through our contact form to get started.