Getting arrested for a felony in Nashville can feel like the ground drops out from under you. People want to know where their loved one is being held, when the first court date will happen, and what to say or not say. The answers matter. Small choices in the first day or two can shape the rest of the case.
This guide walks through what actually happens here in Nashville after a felony arrest. You will see how booking works, what the first appearance means, how bond decisions are made, and how a case moves from General Sessions to the grand jury and into Criminal Court. You will also see the timelines that apply in Tennessee so you do not rely on internet folklore.
Understanding felony arrests in Nashville
A felony arrest means an officer believes there is probable cause that a serious offense occurred. Tennessee classifies felonies by level from Class A through Class E. For most felonies, Class A carries 15 to 60 years, Class B 8 to 30 years, Class C 3 to 15 years, Class D 2 to 12 years, and Class E 1 to 6 years. Some crimes, like first-degree murder, are punished under their own statutes and can carry life imprisonment.
In Nashville, felony cases start in General Sessions Criminal Division. From there, a case can move to the grand jury for possible indictment. If the grand jury indicts, the case is assigned to Criminal Court in the Justice A. A. Birch Building downtown.
What happens immediately after a felony arrest in Nashville
Booking and where people are held
After a Nashville arrest, the person is booked through the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office at the Downtown Detention Center on James Robertson Parkway. Families can check recent bookings and inmate information through the Sheriff’s Office website or by calling the jail.
How fast the first appearance happens
By law, a person arrested must be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay. If the arrest was made without a warrant, a judge must review probable cause within 48 hours. Weekends and holidays do not create a 72-hour window. If the review takes longer than 48 hours, the government must show a genuine emergency.
The first court date and preliminary-hearing timeline
At the first General Sessions date, the judge addresses the charge, representation, and bond. If you plead not guilty and do not waive a preliminary hearing, the court sets that hearing within 14 days if you are in custody or within 30 days if you are out on bond. The hearing is only about probable cause. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over to the grand jury.
Your rights after a felony arrest in Nashville
You have the right to remain silent, and anything you say can be used against you. You also have the right to a lawyer during questioning and in court. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can request a court-appointed attorney at your first appearance.
How bond decisions are made
Judges look at the charge, criminal history, community ties, and risk of not appearing. Bonds may be cash deposits or secured bonds through a bondsman. The Tennessee Constitution guarantees a right to bail in all cases except capital offenses. In some domestic-abuse cases, a short hold may apply before release. While there are proposals to expand bail denial in certain violent felony cases, those changes are not law today.
Once the judge sets the amount and form of bond, release follows once bond is posted and the Sheriff’s Office processes the paperwork.
When to contact a defense lawyer
It is important to speak to a lawyer right away. A lawyer can request a bond review, gather video or phone evidence, talk to witnesses, and guide you on what to say and not say. Early work also helps prepare for the preliminary hearing.
The Nashville felony court process
Initial appearance in General Sessions
This first appearance covers bond, counsel, and the date for a preliminary hearing. It is not a trial and not a formal arraignment.
Preliminary hearing
At this hearing, the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to send the case forward. If probable cause is found, the case is bound over to the grand jury. Some written reports are allowed at this stage, which can surprise people expecting trial-type rules.
Grand jury and indictment
The grand jury decides whether to issue an indictment. If it does, the case moves to Criminal Court.
Arraignment in Criminal Court
Arraignment occurs only after indictment in Criminal Court. At this stage, the indictment is read, a plea is entered, and the judge sets motion and trial schedules.
Sentencing basics if there is a conviction
Sentencing begins with the class range for the felony. Judges also consider aggravating and mitigating factors and a defendant’s prior record. Authorized terms are 15 to 60 years for Class A, 8 to 30 for Class B, 3 to 15 for Class C, 2 to 12 for Class D, and 1 to 6 for Class E. Some offenses carry their own penalties, such as first-degree murder. A person may be eligible for probation if the sentence actually imposed is ten years or less, subject to statutory exclusions.
Practical steps to take after a felony arrest in Nashville
Write down what happened as soon as possible. Make a list of locations where cameras may exist. Ask family to preserve texts, call records, or location data. Share this privately with your lawyer, not on social media.
Attend every court date, arrive on time, and dress in a way that shows respect for the court. Do not contact witnesses or victims. Avoid new police contact while the case is pending. Judges often consider conduct on release when making bond or sentencing decisions.
Work with your lawyer on a plan based on the facts. That could mean challenging a search or a statement, or seeking conditions that address the court’s concerns.
Choosing a Nashville felony defense lawyer
Local experience matters. Ask how often the lawyer appears in Nashville General Sessions and Criminal Court. Ask about their approach to preliminary hearings and motion practice. Discuss fees openly. Serious felony cases can be costly, so ask about flat fees, payment options, and written agreements.
A steady path forward
Felony cases in Nashville follow a clear sequence. Booking is through the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. The first appearance comes quickly. Preliminary hearings are set within 14 or 30 days depending on custody. From there, the grand jury decides on indictment, and arraignment follows in Criminal Court. Sentencing depends on felony class and record. Probation may be possible when the imposed sentence is ten years or less.
Knowing these steps and rights can help you and your family prepare for what lies ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions: Felony Arrests in Nashville
1. Where are people taken after a felony arrest in Nashville?
After a felony arrest in Nashville, most people are booked through the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office at the Downtown Detention Center on James Robertson Parkway. Families can find booking information and inmate status through the Sheriff’s Office website or inmate information line.
2. How quickly will someone see a judge after a felony arrest in Nashville?
Tennessee law requires that an arrested person be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay. If the arrest was made without a warrant, a judge must review probable cause within 48 hours. The first court date, often called the initial appearance, usually takes place within a day or two depending on the calendar.
3. What happens at the first appearance in Nashville’s General Sessions Court?
At the initial appearance, the judge reviews the charge, addresses whether the accused has or needs an attorney, and considers bond. If the case is not resolved or dismissed, the judge sets a date for a preliminary hearing.
4. What is the purpose of a preliminary hearing in Nashville felony cases?
The preliminary hearing is not a trial. Its sole purpose is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe a felony was committed and that the accused committed it. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over to the Davidson County grand jury.
5. Can bail be denied in a Nashville felony case?
Under the Tennessee Constitution, people charged with felonies generally have a right to bail except in capital cases. Judges may set conditions, such as secured bonds or supervision, and in some domestic-abuse cases there may be a short hold before release. Proposals to expand bail denial are being debated but are not current law.
6. When does arraignment happen in a Nashville felony case?
Arraignment takes place in Criminal Court only after the grand jury returns an indictment. At arraignment, the indictment is read in court, the defendant enters a plea, and the judge sets schedules for motions and trial.
7. What sentencing ranges apply if someone is convicted of a felony in Nashville?
Sentencing depends on the felony class and the person’s prior record. By statute, Class A felonies carry 15 to 60 years, Class B 8 to 30, Class C 3 to 15, Class D 2 to 12, and Class E 1 to 6 years. Some crimes, such as first-degree murder, have their own penalty rules. Probation is available in certain cases when the sentence imposed is ten years or less, subject to statutory exclusions.