Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Northeast Tennessee
Johnson City Criminal Defense Lawyer
Corey B. Shipley spent years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, building and trying cases for the government. Now he uses that experience to defend people charged with state and federal crimes in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and across Northeast Tennessee.
- Former Federal Prosecutor
- Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
- State and Federal Court
- Free Consultation
Three Things to Know After an Arrest
What you do in the first days can affect your case. Here is where to start.
You do not have to explain yourself
Anything you say to officers can be used in the case. You can politely decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer.
You can say no to a search
If officers ask to search your car, home, or phone, you can refuse consent. Do not physically resist; a lawyer can challenge an unlawful search later.
State and federal cases differ
Federal cases follow different procedures and sentencing rules than state cases. Knowing which system you are in shapes every decision that follows.
How the Government Builds a Case
Our attorneys built cases from the government’s side. That is the lens we use to look at yours.
Investigation
Officers or federal agents gather evidence, which can include searches, statements, phone records, and informants. How that evidence was collected can matter as much as what it shows.
Charging
A prosecutor decides what to charge, or a grand jury returns an indictment. The charging decision reflects what the government believes it can prove.
Discovery
The government must turn over certain evidence to the defense. We review it the way a prosecutor would, looking for gaps and problems.
Motions and negotiation
Challenges to searches, statements, and evidence can change the strength of a case. Any negotiation happens with that full picture in view.
Trial or resolution
Some cases go to trial and others resolve earlier. You make that decision with a clear understanding of the risks on each side.
Charges We Defend
We defend clients in state and federal court across Northeast Tennessee.
Federal charges
Indictments in federal court, including fraud, conspiracy, and drug cases.
Drug offenses
Possession, sale, trafficking, and federal drug conspiracy charges.
DUI
DUI charges in Tennessee state court.
Serious felonies
State felony charges, from the investigation through trial.
White collar and fraud
Fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crime charges.
Appeals and expungement
Criminal appeals, and expungement of eligible records in Tennessee.
The Other Side of the Table
Our attorneys have tried cases for the government in state and federal court, and our investigator spent his career working federal cases. Together, they know how the other side approaches a case.
Corey B. Shipley
Founding Attorney
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney who led the prosecution of hundreds of complex federal cases, including financial fraud and multi-defendant conspiracy trials. In private practice since 2017.
View full profileEmily M. Swecker
Attorney, Of Counsel
Thirteen years as a prosecutor, first as a Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney and then as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Greeneville, where she led a multi-agency task force targeting drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies. Roughly 40 jury trials.
View full profileMichael Templeton
Investigator
A retired DEA Special Agent and licensed Tennessee private investigator, Michael spent 25 years leading complex drug conspiracy, money laundering, and narco-terrorism financing investigations, including a decade in the DEA’s Johnson City office. Michael is not an attorney.
View full profileHow It Works
- 1Tell us what happened
- 2We review your case, free
- 3You decide how to proceed
Get a Free, Confidential Consultation
Former federal prosecutors. A retired DEA Special Agent on the team.
Takes about a minute. Only your name and phone number are required.
Free, confidential consultation. We respond within one business day.
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Prefer to Call?
Talk with us about your charges.
(423) 777-7447 Shipley Law Firm, PLLC2903 E Oakland Avenue
Johnson City, Tennessee 37601
Criminal Defense Questions
Why hire a former federal prosecutor for criminal defense?
A former federal prosecutor has seen how the government investigates, charges, and tries cases from the inside. Corey B. Shipley served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and that experience helps him evaluate the evidence and the government’s approach in your case.
What is the difference between federal and state charges?
Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in federal court and often involve offenses that cross state lines, target federal agencies, or involve large-scale fraud or drug trafficking. Federal sentencing follows the federal sentencing guidelines. State charges are prosecuted by local district attorneys in Tennessee state courts. We handle both.
Should I talk to the police if I have not been charged?
You can decline to answer questions and ask to speak with a lawyer first. Talking with a lawyer before any interview helps you understand what is at stake.
Where are federal cases from Northeast Tennessee heard?
Federal cases from this region go to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, which holds court in Greeneville. State cases are heard in the courts of the county where the charge was filed.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost?
Fees depend on the charge, the complexity of the case, and how much court time it requires. Your first consultation is free and confidential, and we will explain the fee before you decide anything.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
