Women Facing Criminal Charges in Tennessee: Why Laura Waynick Defends Only Women

Being arrested is frightening for anyone. For a woman, the fear often reaches far beyond the courtroom. Who will pick up the kids? Will I lose my job? Will anyone listen to my side of the story? At Waynick Law, attorney Laura Waynick built her practice around those questions. She is a female criminal defense attorney who represents only women charged with crimes in Middle Tennessee, because she has seen firsthand how differently the system can treat them.

Tennessee locks up women at a far higher rate than the nation

The numbers are hard to ignore. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Tennessee incarcerates women at a rate of 194 per 100,000, compared with 112 per 100,000 nationwide. The organization’s newest national report, released in October 2026, counts nearly 199,000 women and girls behind bars on any given day.

The trend is moving in the wrong direction. Since the sharp drop in jail populations in 2020, women’s jail incarceration rates have risen by 31%, more than twice the 14% increase for men. And most women in jail have not been found guilty of anything. They are waiting for their day in court.

How the criminal justice system affects women differently

Women and men are charged under the same Tennessee laws. But the consequences of an arrest often land differently, and a strong defense has to account for that.

Bail can keep women in jail before trial

Nationally, about 61% of women held in local jails have not been convicted. They are awaiting trial. Women in jail tend to have lower incomes, and for women who cannot make bail, a typical felony bail amount can equal a full year’s income. A woman stuck in jail may feel enormous pressure to accept any plea deal that gets her home. That is why it matters to push for reasonable release conditions early. Learn more about what happens at a bail hearing.

An arrest can affect your children

About 80% of women in jail are mothers, and most are the primary caregivers for their children. When a mother is arrested, questions about childcare, custody, and sometimes child-welfare involvement can come up almost immediately. Court dates, bond conditions, and probation meetings all have to fit around real family responsibilities. Your defense attorney should understand those pressures and plan for them.

The story behind the charge matters

Research on women in the justice system shows high rates of past trauma. One study cited by the Prison Policy Initiative found that 98% of women in jails had experienced trauma in their lifetimes. Another found that more than two-thirds of women in state prisons with mental health problems had a history of physical or sexual abuse. A police report rarely captures that context. An attorney who takes the time to hear your whole story can uncover facts that matter, such as self-defense, pressure from a partner, or the real reason you were where you were.

Domestic assault arrests are not always what they seem

Tennessee law directs officers responding to a domestic abuse call to determine who was the primary aggressor, and it makes arrest the preferred response only for that person. Officers are supposed to consider the history of abuse between the parties, how serious each person’s injuries are, and what witnesses say, among other factors. But those decisions are made quickly, at chaotic scenes. If an officer decides both people are equally responsible, the law leaves it to the officer’s judgment whether to arrest one, both, or neither. As a result, women who were protecting themselves sometimes leave in handcuffs.

Tennessee also recognizes the right to use force in self-defense in certain situations. If you were arrested after defending yourself, learn how we approach domestic assault charges.

Probation and a criminal record can follow you

Probation is meant to be an alternative to jail, but its conditions can be hard to meet. Fees, frequent check-ins, and travel restrictions add up quickly for a woman balancing work and childcare without reliable transportation. National data shows women are more likely than men to be jailed for a probation violation alone. A record can also close doors in fields where many women work, such as nursing and elder care, which often require licenses. Negotiating realistic terms, and pursuing options such as diversion that may allow a charge to be expunged later, can protect your future long after your case ends.

A female criminal defense attorney who listens first

Laura Waynick spent many years as an environmental scientist, working with hazardous materials and government regulations, before she turned to criminal defense. In the courtroom, she saw women being overlooked and not fully heard, and she decided to do something about it.

“I only represent females because they need someone who understands them and is willing to listen to them.” — Laura Waynick

Laura graduated from the Trial Lawyers College in 2026 after three weeks of intensive training in courtroom advocacy and storytelling. She is also an instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and she is trained in forensic laboratory testing and procedures. She works alongside founding attorney Rodger Waynick and the Waynick Law team in Nashville and Dickson.

That combination makes a difference in real cases. In a DUI case, it means knowing exactly how field sobriety tests are supposed to be given and spotting when they were not. In a drug case, it means reading lab reports with a scientist’s eye and asking how the evidence was collected, stored, and tested.

Charges Laura defends

As a female criminal defense attorney, Laura represents women facing a wide range of criminal charges throughout Middle Tennessee, including:

• DUI and implied consent violations
• Drug possession, including marijuana and prescription drug charges
• Domestic assault and other assault charges
• Weapons charges
• Many other misdemeanor and felony charges

What to do if you or a woman you love is arrested

1. Stay calm and stay quiet. Give your name and identifying information, then say clearly, “I want my lawyer.” Do not answer any other questions. Here is more on your Miranda rights.
2. Don’t discuss your case on jail phones or video visits. Those calls are typically recorded and can be used against you.
3. Stay off social media. Don’t post, comment, or message anyone about what happened.
4. Write down everything you remember as soon as you can, including times, names, and what was said. Share it only with your lawyer.
5. Tell your attorney about your children and your job so those responsibilities can be considered in bond requests and court scheduling.
6. Call a defense attorney as soon as possible. The earlier your lawyer gets involved, the more options you may have.

For a step-by-step guide, read what to do if you are arrested.

Talk with Laura Waynick about your case

If you are a woman facing criminal charges in Davidson, Williamson, Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery, Humphreys, or a surrounding county, you do not have to face it alone. If you want a female criminal defense attorney in your corner, contact Waynick Law to schedule a free, confidential consultation with Laura Waynick. Call our Nashville office at 615-326-4529 or our Dickson office at 615-375-1677, or fill out our contact form.

This article provides general information about Tennessee criminal law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed Tennessee attorney.