Tennessee residents who are charged with serious crimes have many things about which to be concerned. When criminal allegations become public knowledge, one of these concerns may well be public sentiment. Sometimes the media can portray stories in a way that all but convicts a person in the minds of the readers. In times like these, it can be important for people to remember that the criminal justice system guarantees defendants due process based upon the facts of the case, not media reports.
One man from Lebanon today may well be in such a situation. Since 2014, he worked as a teacher with special education students at Mt. Juliet High School in Wilson county. He also coached the wrestling team there. Records indicate he had never been involved in any controversy until this spring when a phone call was made to the school district accusing him of sexual misconduct with a student.
The defendant has left his job and his teaching license has been suspended for now. A grand jury has indicted him on counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and unlawful sexual conduct. He has also been charged with three counts each of sexual battery of a minor by an authority figure and statutory rape by an authority figure. No details of the alleged incidents have been released.
In times like these, Tennessee residents might find talking with an experienced criminal defense lawyer helpful. This may offer them insight into how to best approach a defense process.
Source: The Tennessean, “Ex-Mt. Juliet High teacher, coach indicted on sex crimes,” Andy Humbles, May 12, 2017
