Jodie Bell, Attorney at Law
Ms. Bell represents a wide range of clients facing criminal investigations and charges – from DUI to white collar fraud to homicide – in state and federal court. Ms. Bell’s twenty plus years-experience includes a comprehensive understanding of the immediate and long-term consequences of a criminal accusation, and the stress inherent in facing a criminal charge. Ms. Bell provides vigorous and thoughtful representation under difficult circumstances. If you or someone you know needs a strong advocate, contact Ms. Bell.
Contact
LOCATION
214 Second Avenue North
Suite 208
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
CONTACT
jodie@attorneyjodiebell.com
(615) 953-4977
Facsimile
(615) 928-1901
Licensed in Tennessee and California
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an attorney even if I am innocent?
Yes. The Government, as represented by prosecutors and police officers, is generally in the business of arresting people and obtaining convictions. Despite what they might say, they are generally not in the business of helping you if you are accused of a crime. Some police officers even have special training on "obtaining confessions." They rarely want to hear your side of the story, and if they do, it is because they think it will help them convict you. Sometimes police have even told suspects that a lawyer is unnecessary if someone is innocent, in hopes that the suspect would give them enough information to make a case against the suspect. Always ask to speak to a lawyer before speaking to police.
Can the police just stop me for no reason?
No. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and its corollary in the Tennessee Constitution forbid unreasonable searches and seizures. Generally speaking, there are three levels of interaction between police and the public: (1) a consensual encounter, (2) a brief investigative stop, or (3) a custodial arrest. A consensual encounter is any interaction in which the suspect consents, like a casual conversation on the street between an officer and a member of the public. For the police to conduct an investigative stop, the police officer must have a suspicion that a crime was or is about to be committed, and that officer's belief must be reasonable. During this investigative stop, if the police also have a reasonable suspicion that the person is armed, the police may "pat-down" the person's clothing to make sure the person is unarmed. Police are not allowed to conduct a full-scale search during this stop. For a full-scale search or arrest, police must either have a warrant or probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that the suspect committed it.
Are the police allowed to search my car after they give me a citation?
Generally not. A citation is an alternative to an arrest. Technically, when a person is given a citation, they are not under arrest, so the search that goes along with an arrest is not allowed.
