publicdefender.nashville.govPublic Defender of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County

Public Defender of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS Find My Court Dates Apply for a Lawyer Primary MenuOur Mission Our Representation Standards Martesha Johnson, Public Defender Frequently Asked Questions Meet the Defenders Client/Community Advisory Board A Short History of the Public Defender Juvenile Division Juvenile Division Frequently Asked Questions GAL Program Education Rights Project About a GAL Investigation Immigration The New Americans Project Information for Non-Citizen Defendants Information for Attorneys Representing Non-citizens Resources Driver’s License Reinstatement TAKE THIS BOOK Issues in Indigent Defense Public Records Policy Useful Links for Clients & Advocates Other Reports & Documents Defend Nashville Defend Nashville Community Outreach Participatory Defense News & Events Contact Us Contact Our Office Apply for a Lawyer Public Defender Staff Questions, Concerns or Complaints? Maps & Directions Employment Opportunities Interns, Externs & Volunteer Opportunities Find My Court Date150Construction24 SliderBlackbckgroundcollage Dignity, Liberty, Equality Español | EnglishFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS NOTICE: our office has moved , the Office of the Public Defender is physically located at 150 2nd Ave N., Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37201 How do I find the office? Where can I park? When is my court date? How do I get a lawyer? Who is my lawyer? How can I get my license back? How can I get my record expunged? All Languages Welcome Se habla español کورد አማርኛ ﻋﹷﺮﹶﺑﹻﻲ မြန်မာစာ नेपाली Somali Swahili Việt ROBOCALL SCAM ALERT! BAIL MONEY SCAM. REFERRAL SCAM. DO NOT SEND MONEY. No public defender in Nashville (or anywhere else) will contact a member of the public by telephone or any other means demanding money via wire transfer or any other form of payment or referral fee. Anyone receiving such a phone call should refuse the demand and contact his/her local law enforcement agency or the Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office. FIND OUT MORE WELCOME to the website of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office. We are pleased to offer this resource to our clients, their families, and the general public, and we hope the information you find here helps answer your questions. As the largest criminal defense law firm in Nashville, we strive to provide the best possible representation to our clients. As a public service agency, we also want to offer the best service to our community. Beyond the information you find here, you should know that the entire staff of the Public Defender’s Office takes great pride in the work we do. Our Mission is to provide zealous representation to our clients and to fight for equal justice for the indigent accused. We are truly honored to make the Sixth Amendment right to counsel a reality in Nashville. With all the problems in the criminal justice system today, we work to be one of the solutions. Meet the Defenders FIRST 24 HOURS What can you do if your loved one is arrested within the first 24 hours? Click this link for answers. Find out who to call to determine whether or not your loved one is in jail. Also, find out about bail, when the first court appearance is, and who to call if you have concerns about your loved one’s health. TAKE THIS BOOK Defendant and Family Handbook We know this time is hard. We want you to see your Nashville Defenders legal team as a resource deeply committed to your case. The Defendant and Family Handbook is designed to help you and your family understand the criminal justice process, the legal steps your case will go through, how your public defender will handle your case, and what resources are available to help you and your family through this difficult time. You can pick up a copy in our office or read the digital version. English Spanish JUVENILE COURT FINES SCAM ALERT! DO NOT SEND MONEY. The Davidson County Juvenile Court has recently become aware of a scam targeting individuals around the state regarding alleged court fines through fraudulent notifications. FIND OUT MORE NOTICE! Drivers License Reinstatement Is your driver’s license suspended because you cannot pay court costs, fees, and fines? You may be eligible to get your license back for free. Based on a July 2, 2018, federal court ruling, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will reinstate and reissue a driver’s license without charge to any person whose revocation is for failure to pay fines, fees, and other court costs on any non-driving offense. FIND OUT MORE I defend Nashville because I am Nashville…and until justice rolls down like water,’ I will keep fighting and advocating for my community.” LEARN ABOUT Martesha Johnson Moore Chief Public Defender OUR MISSION The Mission of the Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office is to defend the liberty, honor, and constitutional rights of the individuals, of all ages, whose cases have been entrusted to us. Through zealous advocacy, we strive not only to deliver excellence in our representation of each and every client but also to stand with our clients and the community in working to create a more just, fair, and compassionate legal system. Were you on probation in Rutherford Cty, TN? Civil Rights Corps has reached a $14.3 million settlement in their class-action lawsuit against Rutherford County and PCC. Anyone who was on probation from October 2011 through March 2016 in Rutherford County qualifies as a class member who can recover a monetary award, and those on probation after that may qualify. Civil Rights Corps wants to reach as many class members as possible, and they have asked for our help doing so. If you know of anyone who meets these criteria – including clients or former clients –, please share this information with them. Phone number to call: 1-888-805-9120 READ MORE Learn how the community bail fund helps our clients avoid wealth-based detention. Need Help making bail? The Bail Fund also accepts applications from family and friends. Do you have a loved one facing criminal charges? Participatory Defense is a way to be involved in advocating for their case. Learn about the work of Free Hearts and Participatory Defense . Know Your Rights when your child is facing suspension or discipline issues. Learn what to do.Discipline Rights of StudentsInformal Suspension Fact Sheet DEFEND NASHVILLE Community Outreach is committed to providing the most current information to educate communities and citizens on their rights and the ever-changing laws that seek to trap people in the justice system. All people in the U.S., whether citizens or non-citizens, have certain rights under the U.S. Constitution and other laws. We are happy to join your organization’s event, panel or provide an info table to discuss concerns about police stops, searches, gun laws, and what to do if you are arrested. Contact us if you are interested in Chief Martesha Johnson Moore or a Nashville Defender speaking at your next justice event. View Current OpeningsView OpeningsOffice News Chief Public Defender Responds to Guilty Plea of Andrew Delke Stephen Hale of the Nashville Scene writes about the Defend Nashville initiative . Read the article HERE . Driving While Black: A Report on Racial Profiling in Metro Nashville Police Department Traffic Stops The Nashville Defenders are proud to be a Gideon’s Promise Partner Office. More about Gideon’s Promise HERE . Interested in having your record expunged? Click HERE for more information. . All expungements will be processed at no expense as of November 1, 2021. Tweets by nash_defenders Follow @nash_defenders publicdefender@jisnashville.gov | Maps & Directions QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS Find My Court Dates | Apply for a Lawyer Main Office & Adult Division 150 2nd Ave. N., Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone - 615.862.5730 Fax - 615.862.5736 Office Hours are 8:00 am until 4:30 pm M-F Lobby Intake Hours are 8:00 am until 3:00 pm M-F Please arrive before 3:00 p.m. if you need to be screened for an attorney to represent...