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Questions Answered by Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: I was told by chief investigator, Wayne county sheriff dept in Waynesboro TN that had warrant & to turn myself in!

If active warrant is in effect, shouldn't he have arrested me on the spot?

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Jun 4, 2019

You can always call the criminal court clerk and ask if there is a warrant for John Doe (substituting your name).

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: I was charged with theft under $500 2 years ago but now I’m getting charged with $1366 theft from my work place

What will be my income if I’m taking to court my employer gave me 3 weeks to pay that money but I just got new job and no I won’t start until the 27th of May and I wont get paid until the 5 of June I’m in the state of Tennessee just need help

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on May 19, 2019

If you could re-think your question and rephrase it, maybe I could answer it. I have no idea what you are making or what your income will be.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: In Tennessee can I be detained at Walmart for not showing my receipt?
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on May 18, 2019

Yes. Walmart is one of the most notorious companies for prosecuting theft, and they can detain you for not showing a receipt for the goods that you took outside of the store.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: If the arresting officer was not at court, could you still sign your deal?

My boyfriend has been in jail for almost 6 months now. He got arrested for drugs and guns and they sent the drugs off to see what they were. Tuesday the judge said he had time served and that Thursday he could sign his deal and get out Wednesday. However, the arresting officer was not there and now... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on May 11, 2019

I think that you can make a deal with the District Attorney. You need to get criminal defense counsel.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: My sister is 17 and her bf is 21 and she thinks she is pregnant I was wondering if he could get into trouble
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on May 8, 2019

Yes. If she is under the age of 18 and her boyfriend is 4 years older than her, it is considered statutory rape.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: How much time can some do for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Tennessee?
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on May 3, 2019

The severity of the punishment for aggravated assault will depend on your intent when the assault occurred. For instance, if the aggravated assault was intentional, then you may be charged with a class C felony in Tennessee. This means that you could spend anywhere from 3 to 15 years in prison if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: The police keep showing up at my home without a warrant claiming to be looking for people. Can I file a lawsuit

They keep showing up numerous times a week without a warrant searching my home and harrassing myself and company. I was nice enough to let them search the first few times they came but now they keep coming 2-3 times a week claiming they don't need a warrant cuz of an anonymous call and cuz the... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 30, 2019

It sounds like an abuse of power on their part. You should consult with a local defense attorney.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: I was caught with 1 gram of weed and was given a ticket and a court date. Will this go on my record or go to jail

I just turned 18 and on my prom night my friend got pulled over and I had 1 gram of weed in my pocket

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 28, 2019

It depends from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. It also depends on whether this is a first time offense for you. There is not enough information to tell you exactly what the District Attorney may offer and may be impossible for us to do anyway. You need to hire an attorney before you go to court.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Tennessee on
Q: Do I need to file a police report on someone who intentionally filed a false report on me?

My exs girlfriend filed a false report on me saying I was beating on her door and threatening to burn her house down. And my ex filed a report on my husband saying he tried running him over and was threatening him etc. Well the cop investigated and got my husband's alibi from his boss because... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 25, 2019

You should solicit the advice of a local criminal attorney and he/she will tell you the appropriate action to take.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is it legal to search someone walking alongside the road having commited any apparent crime

Was stopped because concerned about my safety walking on the road after expressing his concern then searched me to check for weapons and found drugs is this a legal search

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 22, 2019

Generally speaking, a police office has to have probable cause to search and arrest you. This is a low standard. However, if you appeared to be on drugs, then it may have been public inoxication. I would suggest that you obtain a crimainal defense attorney as soon as possible.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: What is the penalty for filing a false arrest warrant?

I have had a warrant taken out on me for aggravated burglary and theft by someone who I was testifying against. It is out of spite and I had the permission of the homeowner to take the item and the texts to prove it. I pressed charges on my mother for assault and while in court to testify/ be a... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 18, 2019

I suppose that you may want to get an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Tennessee on
Q: Does a 30 suspended jail sentence stay in your permanent record?
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 15, 2019

You can't make a determination simply on those facts. If it is pre-trial diversion, because the individual didn't have a prior record, then they probably have the capability to apply to have it expunged at the end which would take it off the record. If it was not a pre-trial diversion... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Tennessee on
Q: is discussing local news that involves someone at work classifiable as gossip and fire able offense.

I know that in an at will state an employer can fire you for pretty much any reason or no reason at all but my boss has threatened to fire me for gossiping because myself and a couple of other co-workers were discussing our boss's recent arrest for assault. This was in our local news so it is... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 14, 2019

I think that you have partially answered your own question. Generally speaking, Tennessee is an employment-at-will State, which means that you can get terminated for any reason or no reason at all, so long as the reason is not illegal or you are protected by contract. Examples of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Criminal Law and Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: What to do abut my husbanD assault me an one of our children and the judge gives him temporary custody

My husband which assault me an our 12 yr son still has charges pend. In one county an my husband goes an gets his lawyer to reopen our divorce case which is in amother county and tells that judge that I made all that up and some more lies so while I was on the hospital the judge goes my husband... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 13, 2019

At this point in time, your case is far more factual than legal. On this question and answer forum, we attempt to help individuals by providing simple explanations about the law. Your issue needs the attention of local counsel, who can ask you the appropriate questions to communicate with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can my husband be sent back to prison for a technical violation while on parole for a long period of time?

My husband has done 10 years in prison, he was released on parole. Back in July his P.O called him and told him he needs to turn hisself in no warrant was issued at the time my husband was afraid and didn’t go up there all my husband kept saying is I haven’t done nothing wrong to his P.O.He... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 8, 2019

There is simply not enough information to answer this question clearly. If he was called in, there was a reason. I can certainly tell you from experience that the courts and district attorneys do not like it when people do not report. Ultimately, if he keeps proceeding down that path, he could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: If a defendant is charged with 1st degree murder initially is it true that the prosecution can only offer a plea deal of

2nd degree murder bc defendant was so intoxicated that he blacked out and doesn’t remember the event? He has a clean record aside from a DUI.

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 4, 2019

The answer to your question has many dimensions. There are minimums and maximums that any District Attorney must abide by. That being said, the nature of a plea offer is going to vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. When you are talking about 1st or 2nd degree murder and serious about it, a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Tennessee on
Q: Can a police officer legally look inside your vehicle if not engaged in an active traffic stop with no probable cause?

The state of TN has adopted a policy of “rolling” enforcement facilities to combat distracted driving. Can they legally look inside your vehicle, even if it is just from the outside, if you have not committed a crime and there is no probable cause to believe you have committed a crime? Is... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 3, 2019

They need probable cause to search your vehicle.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: I want to know about suspended sentence

My fiance is in jail serving 11/29 and 6 mos concurrently I am struggling without him is the any way to get an appeal or

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 3, 2019

If he was convicted or plead, then he had 10 days to appeal. Generally, I would say no; however, criminal law differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, so your best bet is to consult with a local criminal defense attorney in that area to see if anything can be done.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: If while incarcerated I catch my 2nd violation of bond conditions in TN what am I facing in sentencing?

Is it possible for it to be dismissed? I got the charge b/c of the person that came to visit me

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Apr 2, 2019

I don't think that I will be the first person to tell you that courts don't like this. Skipping out on bond and Violation of Probation really puts you in a bad place. In a VOP situation, a sentence will be based loosely on your original charge and conviction, even if you completely... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: What is the punishment for theft in TN if the amount stolen is unknown?

My mom was very recently arrested and charged with two counts of theft in carter county tn and in the report it states the money was taken from an elderly ladies wallet and the amount of money that was in the wallet is unknown by the victim. So my question is can this charge stick and if so what... View More

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Mar 29, 2019

Like most other crimes, theft is graded in the State of Tennessee, according to amount. I would think that ultimately a determination is going to have to be made as to how much was stolen.

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