FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NOTICE: the Office of the Public Defender is located at
150 2nd Ave N., Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37201
Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm M-F
Last Intake Appointment: 4:15 pm
How do I find the office? Where can I park?
When is my court date?
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
SCAM ALERT NOTICE
UPDATED AUG. 2024
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. Protect Yourself from Court and Jail Scams. The Davidson County Juvenile Court is also aware of a scam targeting individuals around the state regarding alleged court fines through fraudulent notifications.
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.
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.
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
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.
We are 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.
Know Your Rights when your child is facing suspension or discipline issues. Learn what to do.
>Discipline Rights of Students
>Informal Suspension Fact Sheet
DEFENSE
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.
