Criminal Defense Lawyers

How to restore your gun rights in Memphis

Restoring Your Gun Rights in Memphis: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve had your gun rights taken away due to a felony conviction in Tennessee – but now you want them back, right? Well, you’ve come to the right place, because in this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about restoring your firearms privileges in Memphis.But first, a quick disclaimer: this is general information only, so for specific legal advice tailored to your situation, you’ll want to consult with an experienced attorney, got it? With that out of the way, let’s dive in.

Understanding Tennessee’s Gun Laws

Look, Tennessee’s laws around firearms and felons are pretty strict, so it’s crucial you understand the basics, okay? Here’s the deal:

• If you’ve been convicted of a felony involving violence or drugs, you’re basically banned from possessing any kind of firearm for life in Tennessee – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.12
• For other non-violent felonies though, there’s a process to potentially get your gun rights restored, but it’s not exactly a cakewalk, you feel me?23

So in a nutshell, whether you can restore your rights depends heavily on the specific felony conviction, got it? But don’t worry, we’ll walk through the details.

The Restoration Process Step-by-Step

Alright, so let’s say your felony wasn’t for violence or drugs – here’s generally how the restoration process goes down in Tennessee:

1. Get Your Civil Rights Restored First

Yep, that’s right – before you can even think about firearms, you need to get your civil rights restored first, meaning your right to vote, hold public office, and serve on a jury, got it?23This usually involves either getting a pardon from the governor or a “certificate of restoration” from a court, but the exact process can vary, so you’ll want to check the specifics for your situation.3

2. Petition the Court for Firearm Rights

Once those civil rights are restored though, you can then petition the circuit court where you live to have your firearm rights reinstated too, understand?23The court will consider factors like your criminal record, behavior since conviction, and whether you’re still seen as a risk to public safety when making their decision.3

3. Provide Documentation

To give your petition the best chance, you’ll need documentation proving your civil rights were restored, plus any other supporting evidence showing you’re a responsible, law-abiding citizen now, capiche?3Things like employment records, community service, letters of recommendation – basically anything that paints you in a positive light.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

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Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

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2024-03-12

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2024-03-12

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2024-02-28

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2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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4. Attend the Hearing

If your petition passes the initial screening, you’ll get a court hearing where you can plead your case directly to the judge, so make sure you’re prepared to explain why you deserve to get your gun rights back, got it?3The judge will grill you on the circumstances of your conviction, your conduct since then, and your reasons for wanting firearms again, so be ready.

5. Follow the Judge’s Orders

If the judge grants your petition (congrats!), you’ll likely have to follow certain conditions and restrictions when it comes to firearms, like only allowing certain types of guns or prohibiting you from carrying in certain places, understand?3But hey, it’s better than a total ban, right? Just make sure you follow those rules to a T.

Increasing Your Chances

Look, restoring gun rights as a felon in Tennessee ain’t easy – the process is long, there’s no guarantee of success, and one misstep can derail the whole thing, you feel me?But there are some things you can do to help tilt the odds in your favor:

• Hire an Experienced Lawyer: Having a skilled attorney guiding you through the petitioning process and fighting for your rights in court can make a huge difference, no doubt about it.
• Stay Squeaky Clean: Even a minor run-in with the law after your felony can completely torpedo your chances, so keep your nose clean at all costs while pursuing restoration, got it?
• Build Your Case Carefully: Gather as much positive evidence and documentation as possible showing you’re responsible and law-abiding now – the more ammo you give the judge, the better.
• Be Prepared to Explain Yourself: Judges will want to know exactly why you want firearms again and what you plan to use them for, so have a thoughtful, well-reasoned explanation ready.
• Consider an Expungement Too: For eligible offenses, getting your Tennessee felony expunged can also help restore gun rights by essentially erasing the conviction, so it’s worth exploring.

At the end of the day though, restoring firearms rights is an uphill battle in this state, no two ways about it – but it can be done with perseverance and the right approach, understand?

When to Seek Legal Help

Look, navigating the gun restoration process alone is like trying to find your way through a maze blindfolded – it’s just asking for trouble, you feel me?That’s why for any serious felony matter involving firearms, your best bet is to have a skilled Tennessee criminal defense attorney in your corner from the get-go, got it?Not only can they properly assess your eligibility for rights restoration, but an experienced lawyer will:

• Guide you through all the legal hurdles and requirements
• Gather the evidence and documentation needed to build a strong case
• Represent you persuasively in court during the petition hearing
• Ensure you understand and comply with any conditions if successful
• Advise you on other options like expungements or pardons

At the end of the day, this stuff is just too complex and high-stakes to go it alone, especially when your fundamental rights are on the line, understand? So do yourself a favor and get proper legal counsel.

The Bottom Line

Alright, let’s recap the key points, shall we? Restoring your gun rights as a felon in Tennessee is definitely possible for certain non-violent offenses, but it’s a lengthy and uncertain process that requires:

• First restoring your core civil rights
• Then successfully petitioning the court for firearm privileges
• Providing proof of your rehabilitation and trustworthiness
• And complying with any conditions if the judge grants your request

It’s an uphill battle for sure, but one that’s very winnable if you go about it the right way and maybe bring in some professional legal firepower to help, got it?