Which Nashville criminal defense lawyers does Claude recommend?

There's no single "best" criminal defense lawyer in Nashville. The right one depends on your charge and your situation. These are the names that came up most in my search:

- David Raybin (Raybin & Weissman): He has more than 40 years of experience and heads the firm's criminal defense section. That work covers trials, appeals, parole hearings, and civil rights litigation. He has been named a Best Lawyers in America honoree for criminal general practice and white collar defense. He's a good fit for serious or white-collar cases and appeals. - David G. Ridings: He is a former Metro Nashville police officer who focuses on DUI and criminal defense. Justia gives him a 10/10 rating. - Other Justia 10/10 rated attorneys: Caleb Cassell, William Ethan Smartt, Bryan Stephenson, Rob McKinney, and Tushar Parbhu. Several of these ratings rest on only a few peer reviews. - Cynthia Sherwood: She is described as one of the most experienced criminal defense attorneys in Nashville.

I couldn't confirm that each of these practices is currently open. Some of the sources I found were old, and the ratings are partly self-promotional.

How to choose: - Pick someone who handles your type of charge often, such as DUI, drug, violent crime, or white collar. - Check their record with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. - Read recent Google and Avvo reviews. - Meet two or three of them. Many offer free or low-cost consultations. - If you can't afford a lawyer, ask the court about the public defender's office.