[babybrother]

Nashville, Tennessee - early sunday morning (2:00 a.m.) my brother and his girlfriend took a taxi from a bar (both being intoxicated). They were going to get something to eat and go home. The taxi they got had a foreign driver. They proceeded to tell him where they wanted to go, he did not either understand or listen. They requested a minimum of four times to turn on a particular street, which every time the drive did not do what they asked and ignored where they wanted to go. Finally, they asked him to pull over and let them out so they could get another cab to take them where they wanted to go. They refused to pay the cab driver which resulted in a heated argument. My brother was in the cab explaining to the driver that they were not going to pay him and why and the driver got out of the car, walked around and approach him while he then started to get out of the car. After that apparently there was pushing during which time the driver shoved my brother's girlfriend to the ground (trying to break things up). They then proceed to hit each other and the end result was the driver went to the hospital with a broken arm and other minor injuries. The cops arrested my brother and charged him with Aggrevated Assault with intent to do serious bodily injury. My brother does not remember anything past the driver walking around the car towards him until the cops threw him to the ground and cuffed him. The police refused to take his or his girlfriends statements at the time. He is completely scared and mortified and is a good kid who has never been in any trouble.

What does he need to do or how does it work to get this resolved and clear his name in the very best way? What are the general ramification of a charge like this? What is the likelihood of getting the charges dropped if the driver does not show up in court? What should these charges be plea bargined down to if they can be?? Is it likley they will give him probation and a simple battery charge will go on his record??? How much will defending this situation cost? How do you pick a good lawyer?? There are so many questions -- we as a family have never ever experienced anything like this. Any help you can give us to guide us through this dark time we would be greatful. I look forward to your feedback.

[Mr. Knowitall]

He needs to hire a criminal defense lawyer. That's a serious criminal charge, likely a felony. His lawyer can try to help him negotiate a plea bargain or defend against the charges. Here are some suggestions for finding a criminal defense lawyer.