Our Office
Office Overview
For nearly a decade, Ryan Caldwell has devoted his practice primarily to representing those charged with Driving Under the Influence and other criminal offenses. While some attorneys focus on many different areas of practice, Ryan devotes his time and attention to one area of practice: DUI and criminal defense cases.
Hiring a Lawyer
When charged with a criminal offense, including Driving Under the Influence, it is important to act quickly and decisively. It is essential that you hire a lawyer who knows how the system works, what to expect, and how to get results. You have a wide array of constitutional rights that apply to your case. It is vitally important that you have an experienced attorney who can help you navigate through the intricacies of the legal system. You are NOT guilty of a crime just because you were arrested.
Our Philosophy
At the Law Office of Ryan C. Caldwell, we understand the stress with which you are dealing. Our goal is to make your experience smooth and efficient, while striving for the best results for your individual case. Having handled hundreds of DUI and other criminal cases, we understand that bad things sometimes happen to good people, and the consequences at stake can seem overwhelming. During these uncertain times, it is important that you have an attorney on your side in whom you can trust and rely. We are here to help.
Options
Various options are available to you when charged with Driving Under the Influence depending on the facts of your case. You do not have to plead guilty. Whether it involves getting your DUI reduced to reckless driving, reckless endangerment, negotiating a dismissal, or taking your case to trial, you need an experienced lawyer who can competently advise you on which options are available and which decisions you should make.
A Record of Success
State v. J.S., Davidson County, TN
DUI case thrown out. Client was driving home and stopped by the airport police for "swerving" and "driving recklessly." After performing poorly on the field sobriety tasks, the client took the breath test and registered a .295, almost four times the legal limit. After viewing the video, Mr. Caldwell filed a motion to suppress the evidence because even though the client was swerving within his own lane of travel, he never crossed the median or into other lanes. Citing several recent Tennessee cases, Mr. Caldwell argued that the entire stop should be thrown out. After considering the facts, the trial court granted the motion and the case was dismissed and expunged from his record.
State v. A.S., Davidson County, TN
DUI reduced to Reckless Driving. No jail time. Client, a young professional who absolutely could NOT have a DUI on her record because she would lose her job, was at a local bar for several hours and drank at least eight beers. Client was able to keep her job and avoid jail time.
State v. J.P., Davidson County, TN
Client pulled over for a traffic violation. Client allegedly had slurred speech, dry mouth, and an obvious odor of alcohol coming from his person. Client performed poorly on the Standardized Field Sobriety tests and later blew a .15 on the breathalyzer machine, almost twice the legal limit. However, after reviewing client’s medical history, it was brought to the prosecutor’s attention by our office that he suffered from a gastro-intestinal disease which corrupted the result of the breath test. Result: DUI reduced to Reckless Driving. Client kept his drivers license and avoided having a DUI conviction on his record, which would have cost him his job.
State v. J.M., Rutherford County, TN
Client had two pending DUIs in two separate counties. Due to the fact that he had a newborn son and a family to support, he could NOT plead to a DUI since he would lose his license and his job even though he had blown a .13 on the breathalyzer machine at the time of his arrest. Case resulted in the DUI being amended to Reckless Endangerment. Client kept his job, family, and his license.
State v. D.C., Davidson County, TN
Client had been at a bar for a few hours and walked outside, sat in her car, and called a friend to pick her up due to her intoxication. Meanwhile, the police showed up and arrested her for DUI because, even though she was only sitting in her car, she was allegedly in “physical control” of the vehicle. After extensive negotiations, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the DUI charge.
State. v. R.W., Davidson County, TN
Client was charged with DUI after having been stopped for speeding while coming home from a bar in downtown Nashville. Client refused to take a breath test because, as he told the police, “I have had too much to drink and will probably fail the test.” After a trial, client was found NOT GUILTY and had his DUI arrest expunged from his record.
State v. B.K., Davidson County, TN
After a three day jury trial, client was found NOT GUILTY of stealing $30,000 from a real estate partnership in which he was a partner. This felony charge was expunged from his record.
State v. K.B., Davidson County, TN
After the State’s proof at a jury trial, the State agreed to significantly reduce client’s charge due to the fact that the State’s witnesses, after thorough cross-examination, could not establish client’s guilt.
State v. M.W., Davidson County, TN
Jury trial. Client charged with assaulting a police officer after a routine stop. Result: HUNG JURY. Client was later able to plead to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and was placed on unsupervised probation with no jail time.
State v. M.B., Davidson County, TN
Trial. Client accused of threatening his girlfriend with a buck knife in a motel room, which was a felony charge. After thorough cross-examination of the State’s witnesses, the client was found NOT GUILTY.
State v. M.P., Davidson County, TN
Client had two pending DUI charges which occurred on separate dates but involving the same arresting officer! After extensive discussions with the prosecutor, a deal was worked out and client was able to plead to two reckless driving charges rather than two DUIs due to the fact that it was established that the police officer handling client’s cases was inappropriately targeting client for arrest.
State v. D.W., Davidson County, TN
Client from out of town was drinking at a bar in downtown Nashville. After several beers, client got in his car and drove back to his hotel. Police stopped client for a traffic violation. Client submitted to a breath sample and blew a .10. Case reduced to Reckless Driving with no jail time.
State v. T.H., Davidson County, TN
Client involved in a single car crash in which he hit a light pole. After failing all three sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. After extensive negotiations with the prosecutor, client’s case was reduced to Reckless Driving.
State v. M.L., Davidson County, TN
Client passed out behind the steering wheel while waiting at a red light. Client showed indicators of impairment on all three field sobriety tasks. Client had already had a DUI reduced to a Reckless Driving in another county. Result: Case reduced to Reckless Driving due to the fact that the field sobriety tasks were deemed inadmissible due to client’s body mass index.
State v. T.O., Davidson County, TN
Client arrested for DUI and charged with DUI Fourth Offense, a Felony. After discussions with the prosecutor, client’s case was reduced to a misdemeanor DUI charge, allowing client to avoid having a felony conviction on his record for the rest of his life and allowing him to keep his job and his right to vote.
State v. M.U., Davidson County, TN
Client stopped for speeding and was arrested for DUI. Client vomited in front of the police officer and told him, “I am so drunk!” Result: DUI reduced to Reckless Endangerment. Client kept a DUI off his record and retained his job.