Criminal Defense Lawyer in Memphis, TN
Direct Representation from a Seasoned Memphis Defense Attorney
When you’re facing criminal charges in Shelby County, the state begins building its case at the moment of arrest. Attorney Tim Francavilla has practiced criminal defense in Memphis and surrounding county courts since 1997, and clients work directly with him from the first call through final resolution. No handoffs, no junior attorneys managing your file.
Tim Francavilla brings something few defense attorneys can offer: a working insider’s perspective on how Tennessee judges evaluate cases and arguments. As a sitting Bartlett Municipal Court judge since 2016, he understands what moves the needle in a courtroom because he sees it from both sides. That perspective informs every strategic decision we make on behalf of clients in Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Cordova, and the surrounding areas.
To speak with our Memphis criminal lawyer about your situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us online or at (901) 979-9992 for a free confidential consultation!
Criminal Defense Matters We Handle in Memphis
Tim Francavilla is certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in DWI detection and standardized field sobriety test administration, making DUI defense a particular focus of the firm. That same technical rigor applies across the full range of felony and misdemeanor charges we defend throughout Memphis and Shelby County. The firm is licensed in both Tennessee state courts and federal courts, so representation extends to cases that move beyond state jurisdiction.
A felony conviction in Tennessee can mean extended prison time, permanent record consequences, loss of voting rights, and barriers to employment and professional licensing. Misdemeanor convictions carry their own costs, from background check flags to professional license complications. Defense strategy depends on the specifics of the charge and the evidence: suppression motions challenging unlawful searches, challenges to identification procedures, plea negotiations, diversion programs, or full trial defense are all tools we evaluate early.
Our clients in Memphis face charges including:
What Sets Francavilla Law Firm Apart in Memphis Criminal Defense
Tim Francavilla’s credentials go beyond years in practice. His role as a sitting judge gives him current, firsthand knowledge of how legal arguments are received in Tennessee courts. His NHTSA certification in DWI detection provides a technical foundation for challenging the prosecution’s DUI evidence that goes beyond general courtroom experience. And when cases require post-trial review, the firm has briefed and argued complex legal issues before both the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court. Our representation doesn’t stop at the trial court level.
Credentials and structural advantages that matter to your case:
- Sitting Bartlett Municipal Court Judge (2016–Present): A working perspective on how Tennessee judges evaluate criminal cases and legal arguments
- NHTSA Certification: Formal training in DWI detection and standardized field sobriety testing, directly applicable to DUI defense
- Appellate Record: Briefed and argued before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and Tennessee Supreme Court
- Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Rating: Peer review recognition for ethical standards and legal ability from fellow attorneys and judges
- National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- TACDL Member: Active member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Tennessee & Memphis Bar Association Lecturer: Ongoing engagement with changes in Tennessee criminal law
- Transparent Fee Structures: All legal options and costs explained upfront at the outset of representation
Ready to begin your criminal defense? So are we. Discover how our Memphis law office can address your charges and contact our law office today for a free confidential consultation at (901) 979-9992.
What Our Clients Are Saying
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"I cannot express how thankful I am for your personal guidance, professional service, and dedication."Phone calls and emails were always answered, and of course, the outcome was a very pleasant surprise. I felt a huge burden lifted from my shoulders and experienced a few tears of joy driving home.- Sam
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"Thanks for your kindness and concern with my case."You set the standards that every lawyer should follow!- John
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"Thank you for the “fresh start”"You did an excellent job maneuvering through this mess. Your office is very professional as well.- Jane
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"I really can’t thank you enough."I have never been in such a scary situation, and I’m so glad I finally found someone who could get me out of it.- Lisa
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"I was given one of the greatest gifts of my life, that of my freedom."The end result is that now I do have a life going forward; my professional career will not be destroyed, nor will my educational pursuit of obtaining a doctorate degree.- Jean
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"I am confident that I would not have been able to achieve such great results with my case if it had not have been for your hard work."I really appreciate you being able to turn this into a learning experience that was not detrimental to my future.- Stephanie
The Memphis & Shelby County Criminal Court System
Most Memphis criminal cases begin in Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court. Felony charges are bound over to Shelby County Criminal Court, where the stakes and procedural demands are considerably higher. Cases that reach the federal level are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Tim Francavilla has practiced across these venues since 1997, and his experience as a sitting judge since 2016 gives him current, firsthand knowledge of how arguments land in Tennessee courtrooms.
Familiarity with local judges, prosecutors from the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, and court procedures at each venue isn’t just background knowledge. It shapes tactical decisions: when to push for suppression, when a negotiation is viable, and how to frame arguments for a specific court’s expectations. That kind of local system knowledge is built over decades, not months.
Building a Felony Defense in Shelby County
Felony charges in Tennessee carry the potential for extended prison sentences, permanent criminal records, loss of voting rights, and long-term restrictions on professional licensing and housing. Prosecutors in Shelby County pursue these cases aggressively, which means the defense response requires early, thorough preparation before evidence hardens and options narrow.
We start with a complete review of the prosecution’s evidence and an assessment of procedural and constitutional vulnerabilities in how charges were brought. Defense options range from suppression motions challenging illegal searches to challenges against eyewitness identification to plea negotiations or full trial advocacy. When cases require it, our representation extends to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court. Tim Francavilla’s 25-plus years in the local system inform the tactical judgment that determines which path to pursue for each client.
Juvenile Criminal Defense in Memphis
Juvenile cases in Memphis are handled through Shelby County Juvenile Court, where Tennessee law emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. The procedures, timelines, and dispositional options in juvenile court differ significantly from adult criminal court, and navigating them effectively requires specific familiarity with how these cases move.
A juvenile adjudication can still carry serious consequences for a young person’s education, employment future, and record depending on the charge and outcome. Early intervention by a defense attorney can expand the range of available resolutions, including diversion programs that can avoid formal adjudication entirely. Francavilla Law Firm handles juvenile criminal defense matters throughout Memphis and Shelby County, and we bring the same direct, one-on-one approach to these cases that we apply to every client we represent.
TIM FRANCAVILLA
Since obtaining my law degree, I have worked continuously as a litigation attorney for more than 25 years handling both criminal and civil matters, with a heavy emphasis on criminal defense, personal injury cases, and family law matters.
