Wilson County Criminal Defense Attorney in Lebanon, TN

We defend people charged with DUI, drug, assault and felony offenses in Wilson County and across Middle Tennessee, with Chris Reynolds handling your case himself and explaining every step in plain language, so an early misstep doesn't follow you for years.

Steady Criminal Defense for Lebanon and Wilson County

An arrest can turn your life upside down in a matter of hours, and it's hard to think clearly when you don't know what comes next. As a criminal defense attorney in Lebanon, TN, we treat you like a regular person, not a case number, and once you hire us, your problem becomes our problem. Whether you're facing a DUI, a drug charge or a felony anywhere in Middle Tennessee, here's what you can count on:


  • One-on-one attention from Chris Reynolds, from your first call to your last court date.
  • Plain-language explanations of your charge, your options and what could happen next.
  • Payment plans, so cost doesn't stand between you and a defense.
  • An in-house Spanish interpreter. Se Habla Español.


Charged in Macon County? Our Lafayette office at 619 State Rte 52 handles Macon County cases close to home, with the same phone number and hours as our Lebanon office.

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Criminal Defense Services Built Around Your Situation

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DUI Defense

A DUI charge can impact your license, your job, and your future faster than expected. Clear defense strategies help you understand your options and work toward the best possible outcome.

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Drug Charges

Drug-related charges can carry serious penalties depending on the circumstances. Careful case analysis and strategic defense help protect your rights and reduce long-term impact.

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Assault Defense

Assault allegations often involve complex facts and high emotions. A structured defense approach helps bring clarity and ensure your side of the story is fully represented.

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Domestic Violence Defense

These cases move quickly and can affect both your personal and legal standing. Immediate guidance helps you respond appropriately and avoid missteps early on.

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Serious Felony Defense

Charges like vehicular homicide carry life-altering consequences. You need focused, experienced representation that understands the complexity and stakes of these cases.

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Weapons Charges Defense

Facing a gun or weapons charge in Tennessee can put your freedom and firearm rights at risk. Whether it's unlawful possession, carrying violations, or a felony weapons offense, strong legal guidance can help protect your future.

What a Criminal Defense Attorney Does for You

Facing charges without guidance can lead to costly mistakes or missed opportunities to protect your rights. A criminal defense attorney helps you understand the charges, evaluate the evidence, and build a strategy that fits your situation. From negotiating with prosecutors to representing you in court, every step is handled with the goal of protecting your future and reducing long-term consequences.

What Happens After You're Charged in Wilson County?

Most criminal cases in Wilson County begin in General Sessions Court, and where your case goes from there depends on whether you're charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Here's how it usually unfolds:

Your First Court Date in General Sessions

Your charge is formally read, bond conditions are addressed, and your next court dates are set. This is the best point to have a lawyer already working on your side.

Misdemeanors Are Usually Resolved in General Sessions

Many misdemeanor cases end here, through a dismissal, a reduced charge, diversion, a negotiated plea or a hearing before the judge.

Felonies Get a Preliminary Hearing

A General Sessions judge decides whether the state has enough evidence to move the felony forward. It's also an early chance for us to hear the state's evidence and question its witnesses.

Bound-Over Cases Continue in Wilson County Criminal Court

If the case is bound over and the grand jury returns an indictment, it moves to Wilson County Criminal Court, where motions, plea negotiations and jury trials take place.

We appear in Wilson, Macon and Trousdale county courts regularly, so we can tell you how each of these steps tends to play out in the courtroom handling your case. For Wilson County charges, our Lebanon office at 500 North Cumberland Street is where most of that work starts.

Misdemeanor or Felony? What Your Charge Means in Tennessee

Tennessee sorts criminal charges into classes, and the class of your charge shapes the penalties you face and how your case moves through court.


  • Class A misdemeanors carry up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
  • Class B misdemeanors carry up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
  • Class C misdemeanors carry up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $50.
  • Felonies run from Class A, the most serious, down to Class E, with prison ranges that increase at each level.


A felony conviction reaches well past a sentence. It can follow you into job applications and rental screenings, and it takes away your right to own a firearm. Bringing in a felony defense lawyer in Tennessee before the preliminary hearing gives you more room to challenge the evidence while the case is still taking shape.

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What to Expect When You Start Your Defense

You don't need to have everything figured out before you call. We'll walk you through where you stand and what comes next, in plain language.

  • 1. Tell Us What Happened

    You'll talk directly with Chris Reynolds, not a call center or a rotating staff, and you can do it in Spanish with our in-house interpreter.

  • 2. Understand Your Charge and Your Risks

    We explain the charge, the possible penalties and what could affect your case, without legal jargon.

  • 3. Talk Through Fees and a Payment Plan

    We go over the cost at your consultation and set up a payment plan that works for you, so you know where you stand before you commit.

  • 4. Build Your Defense and Move Forward

    Your strategy is shaped around the facts, the evidence and your goals, and Chris stays with you from negotiations through every court appearance.

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Common Questions About Criminal Charges in Tennessee

  • Do I need a lawyer for a felony charge?

    Felony charges carry serious consequences, including potential jail time and long-term impact on your record. Having legal representation helps ensure your rights are protected and your case is handled strategically from the start.

  • Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Tennessee?

    You aren't required to have one, but a misdemeanor conviction can still mean jail time, fines, probation and a permanent criminal record. A criminal defense lawyer can look for a dismissal, a reduced charge or diversion that keeps the conviction off your record. Those options are easier to reach when a lawyer is involved before your first court date.

  • What happens at General Sessions Court in Wilson County?

    Wilson County General Sessions Court is where most criminal cases start. Misdemeanors are often resolved there, and felony charges get a preliminary hearing where a judge decides whether the case moves on to Wilson County Criminal Court. Having a lawyer at your first appearance helps you understand your options before you make any decisions.

  • How soon should I contact a lawyer after an arrest?

    The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of avoiding early mistakes and protecting your position. Early guidance can shape how your case develops from the beginning.

  • What penalties could I be facing?

    Penalties depend on the type of charge, prior history, and specific details of your case. A clear review of your situation helps you understand realistic outcomes and how to prepare for them.

  • How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Tennessee?

    The cost of a criminal defense lawyer in Tennessee depends on the charge, whether it's a misdemeanor or a felony, and whether the case goes to trial. A misdemeanor resolved in General Sessions Court usually takes less time than a felony headed for a jury trial. We go over fees at your consultation and offer payment plans, so cost doesn't keep you from getting a defense.

Talk With a Wilson County Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Chris Reynolds grew up hearing his father say that someone has to stand up for people who can't defend themselves, and that lesson is why he practices criminal defense. He earned his law degree at Belmont University, where he was a member of the Criminal Law Society, and today he handles every client's case himself. If you've been charged anywhere in Middle Tennessee, call us before you say anything else about your case.


See what clients across Middle Tennessee say about working with us in our Google reviews.

Serving Lebanon and Mt. Juliet in Wilson County, Lafayette in Macon County and Hartsville in Trousdale County, plus criminal defense for clients facing charges in Sumner County courts in Gallatin and across the broader Middle Tennessee region.