Criminal Defense Attorney in Gallatin, TN for DUI and Sumner County Charges

We defend people charged with DUI and other crimes in Gallatin and across Sumner County, with Chris Reynolds handling your case himself and explaining every step in plain language, so you are not walking into your first court date without knowing what comes next.

Charged in Gallatin? Here Is Who You Will Be Working With

If you are searching for lawyers in Gallatin, TN after an arrest or a hard turn in your family life, the Law Offices of Chris Reynolds, PLLC serves Gallatin and Sumner County from our Lebanon office at 500 North Cumberland Street, Lebanon, TN 37087, a straight drive on State Route 109. When you call, you talk with the attorney who will handle your case, not a rotating associate.


Chris Reynolds is a graduate of Belmont University School of Law, where he was a member of the Criminal Law Society. He went into law because of a lesson from his father: stand up for people who cannot defend themselves. We bring that to every Sumner County client, along with a few practical commitments:


  • Chris Reynolds works your case personally, from the first phone call through your last court date.
  • We explain your charge, your options and the likely timeline without legal jargon.
  • We offer flexible payment options and payment plans, so cost does not keep you from getting help.
  • Our in-house Spanish interpreter works with Spanish-speaking Sumner County families from the first conversation. Se Habla Español.
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Criminal Defense and DUI Help for Sumner County Charges

A criminal charge can put your license, your job and your record on the line at once. Through our criminal defense practice, we defend Gallatin residents, and people arrested while passing through Sumner County, against charges including:

DUI

We challenge the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests and the breath or blood results, and we work to limit what a conviction would mean for your license and your job, including on a first offense.

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Possession, sale and paraphernalia charges often turn on how a search was carried out, and we look closely at whether it was lawful.

From simple assault to aggravated assault, we look at what actually happened, including self-defense and conflicting witness accounts.

These charges often come with an order of protection that affects where you can live and when you can see your children, so we address both from the start.

Unlawful possession and carrying charges can carry consequences well beyond the case itself, and we defend them with that in mind.

When a crash leads to a death, the charge is serious and the investigation is complex, and we work through the evidence carefully with you.

How Does a Criminal Case Move Through Sumner County Courts?

Gallatin is the Sumner County seat, and Sumner County makes up Tennessee's 18th Judicial District. That is a separate district from the 15th, which covers Wilson, Macon, Trousdale and Smith counties. Wherever your case is heard, it follows the same basic path:

General Sessions Court

Every criminal charge starts here. Misdemeanors, including many first-offense DUIs, simple possession and simple assault, are usually resolved in General Sessions Court.

Preliminary Hearing

For a felony charge, General Sessions holds a preliminary hearing to decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to go forward. It is an early chance to test the State's case.

Trial Court

If a felony is bound over, the case moves up to the trial court, where it is resolved by agreement or taken to trial.

Before your first appearance, we walk you through where your case sits on this path, what the judge is likely to ask and what you should and should not say.

Divorce Attorney for Gallatin and Sumner County Families

Divorce and custody decisions shape how your family lives for years. We help Gallatin spouses and parents through contested and uncontested divorce, custody and parenting plans, and child support, with honest guidance about what to expect at each stage.


  • Uncontested divorce, when you and your spouse agree on the terms and want the process handled correctly.
  • Contested divorce, when property, debts or support are in dispute and you need someone standing up for your share.
  • Child custody and parenting plans that put your children's routine and well-being first.
  • Child support, whether it is being set for the first time or needs to change.

We also help Sumner County families with estate planning and probate.

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Questions Gallatin Clients Ask Before They Call

  • Is a lawyer worth it for a first DUI in Gallatin, TN?

    For most people, yes. A first DUI in Tennessee can bring jail time, fines, a license suspension and possible ignition interlock requirements, and a conviction stays on your record. A defense attorney can review the stop and the test results for problems and work to reduce what the charge costs you.

  • What happens at my first court date in Sumner County?

    Your first court date is usually in General Sessions Court, where the charge is read and the case is set for its next step. Misdemeanors are often resolved in General Sessions, and felony charges are set for a preliminary hearing. Talking with a lawyer before that date means you walk in knowing what to expect.

  • What does the first consultation cover?

    We go over what happened, the charge or family matter you are facing and what the next few weeks are likely to look like. You leave with a plain explanation of your options and how we would approach your case. Call (615) 873-0251 or use our contact form to schedule.

  • How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Tennessee, and do you offer payment plans?

    Cost depends on the charge and how far the case goes, and we talk through fees openly during your consultation. We offer flexible payment options and payment plans so the cost of a lawyer does not keep you from getting help.

  • Do you take divorce cases for people who live in Sumner County?

    Yes. We represent Gallatin and Sumner County clients in contested and uncontested divorces, custody and parenting plans, and child support, working from our Lebanon office with the same one-on-one attention we give every client.

Talk to a Criminal Defense and Divorce Lawyer Serving Gallatin

If you have a court date coming up in Sumner County or a family matter that cannot wait, the Law Offices of Chris Reynolds, PLLC is ready to help. Call or schedule a consultation, and we will tell you plainly where you stand and what comes next.


500 North Cumberland Street, Lebanon, TN 37087



Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM