Barnes & Fersten, PLLC

Barnes & Fersten, PLLC East Tennessee’s #1 Most Reviewed Exclusively DUI & Criminal Defense Law Firm Located In Knoxville, TN Mr.

The Barnes Law Firm was founded on the belief that every person we represent should get a high quality, personalized, and aggressive representation, that they should be able to speak with their attorney directly about their case to get the information and advice they need in a timely manner, and that that they should be able to afford excellent representation without mortgaging their future. We are absolutely committed to going above and beyond to assure the best possible representation for every client. We take on a comparatively smaller number of cases to make sure that each client gets personal and focused service, which leads to better results and more peace of mind. We have developed a focus on DUI defense and have been trained extensively in that field. We continually attend conferences and seminars nationwide to stay on the cutting edge of that always evolving field. The court system often seems to be working directly against the interests of our clients. We work to make sure that each client gets the full advantage of the rights and protections afforded by our system of justice. Barnes is a two time graduate of the University of Tennessee, earning both a bachelor's degree and my law degree with honors from UT. He is an avid participant in crossfit, plays electric guitar and is engaged to the love of his life and is planning to be married in September 2017.

Our Fall 2026 Newsletter is here!We’re excited to share some important updates from Barnes & Fersten, including the expa...
10/02/2026

Our Fall 2026 Newsletter is here!

We’re excited to share some important updates from Barnes & Fersten, including the expansion of our firm into Family Law. We now offer representation in divorce and child custody matters, and our newsletter explains why we decided to add Family Law and how this new practice area grew from the needs of our clients.

We’re also introducing the newest member of our team, Attorney Carter Pack, and celebrating Brandon Fersten’s recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for DUI/DWI Defense.

If you’ve been following our series on DUI blood draws, you’ll also find more information about the issues we’ve been discussing. If you missed any of Brandon’s videos on social media, you can click on the headlines for each blood-draw issue in the newsletter to watch the videos and catch up on the series.

Read our latest newsletter to learn more about what’s new at Barnes & Fersten!
https://knoxcrimdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Quarterly-Newsletter-Q3-2026.pdf

10/02/2026

When does drug possession become a felony in Tennessee?

In this video, the attorneys at Barnes & Fersten explain the difference between simple possession and felony drug charges, what the State must prove, how police try to establish intent to sell, and why the evidence behind the charge matters.

For a more detailed breakdown on this topic, read our blog: ⁠https://knoxcrimdefense.com/how-drug-possession-becomes-a-felony-in-tennessee/

Happy Birthday, Kaden!Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to our law clerk, Kaden Chiles! Kaden is currently...
10/01/2026

Happy Birthday, Kaden!

Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to our law clerk, Kaden Chiles!

Kaden is currently a 3L at the University of Tennessee College of Law. He joined our team as a law clerk over the summer and has stayed on part-time while finishing law school. He has been a wonderful addition to the team and a great asset to the firm!

When he’s not busy with school or work, you can usually find Kaden tending to his garden, enjoying a good movie or some music, or spending time with his sweet corgi, Peanut. And if you’re lucky, he might even share some of his homemade pickles - which are incredibly good!

We’re so glad to have Kaden as part of our team and hope he has a fantastic birthday!

Reviews like this mean a great deal to our entire team. We know how much it matters to have an attorney who is responsiv...
09/30/2026

Reviews like this mean a great deal to our entire team. We know how much it matters to have an attorney who is responsive, attentive, and available when questions come up. We appreciate the opportunity to have represented you and are grateful to hear that you had a positive experience working with our firm. Thank you for sharing your experience with Barnes & Fersten.

09/29/2026

SFST Series: Can you pass the Walk-and-Turn if you've never been taught how to do it?

In our latest SFST video, Brandon and Brittany demonstrate the Walk-and-Turn test and explain what officers are looking for, including the eight standardized clues.

But there’s more to consider than simply counting mistakes.

The person performing the test and where it is being performed matters, too. What shoes are they wearing? (Yes, Brittany’s famous cow slippers made an appearance!) Do they have back problems, artificial hips, inner-ear issues, or another physical condition that could affect their balance or ability to perform the test, like if they are not wearing their glasses as normal? Is the ground even and dry? These are all factors that can potentially affect how someone performs.

And perhaps most importantly:
Have you ever actually been taught how to perform the test?

What if the instructing officer gives improper or vague instruction?

Brandon also explains why the “eight clues” can involve considerably more observations when each individual step is considered.

The Walk-and-Turn may look simple, but there’s a lot happening during those 18 steps.

Watch the video to hear Brandon break it all down.

09/25/2026

How does a divorce actually begin in Tennessee? In this video, we break down the first steps of the divorce process, including residency requirements, filing the complaint, serving your spouse, temporary orders, parenting issues, and what happens before formal discovery begins.

We also explain how a Tennessee divorce lawyer can help identify important financial and parenting issues early, address immediate concerns, and make sure the case starts on solid footing.

If you are considering divorce in Tennessee or have recently been served with divorce papers, this video provides a practical overview of what to expect at the beginning of the process.

For a more detailed breakdown on this topic, read our blog: ⁠https://knoxcrimdefense.com/how-does-a-divorce-start-in-tennessee/

09/24/2026

Standard Field Sobriety Test Series (SFSTs): Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)

We’re starting a new series breaking down the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). What officers are looking for, how the tests are supposed to be performed, and some of the issues we routinely see with them.

In our first video, Brandon explains the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, with our wonderful paralegal Brittany helping demonstrate.

HGN involves an officer observing the eyes for involuntary jerking, or nystagmus, as they follow a stimulus. Officers are trained to look for six possible clues, three in each eye:

• Lack of smooth pursuit - the eye does not move smoothly as it follows the stimulus.
• Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation - noticeable jerking when the eye is held at the extreme side.
• Onset prior to 45 degrees - nystagmus begins before the eye reaches approximately a 45-degree angle.

When properly administered and interpreted, HGN is considered one of the more scientifically supported components of the standardized field sobriety testing battery. But proper administration and interpretation matter. There are a number of factors that can affect what an officer observes, and Brandon discusses several of the issues we routinely see in DUI cases.

While HGN results themselves are not admissible as evidence of impairment in Tennessee, the circumstances surrounding these tests can still be relevant to a DUI case.

And did you know? All of our attorneys have completed the same NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing training used to train Tennessee law enforcement officers. As part of that training, they participated in a “wet lab,” where participants observed impaired subjects and evaluated their performance.

Interestingly, even when watching the same subjects, participants did not always interpret what they saw the same way. It’s one reason careful examination of how these tests were administered and interpreted can be important in a DUI case.

Watch the video to learn more, and stay tuned for the next test in our SFST series.

Choosing a criminal defense attorney is an important decision, especially when you may not know what the road ahead will...
09/23/2026

Choosing a criminal defense attorney is an important decision, especially when you may not know what the road ahead will look like. That’s why it means so much to hear a client say they felt reassured by the knowledge and guidance they received. Our attorneys work to give every client confidence that their questions are being taken seriously and their case is receiving the attention it deserves. Thank you for sharing your experience and for choosing Barnes & Fersten for your matter.

09/21/2026

DUI Checkpoint Watch: Go Vols!

It's a big football weekend in East Tennessee as the Volunteers take on Texas! Whether you're headed to the game, watching with friends, or enjoying the weekend, have fun and root on the Vols- but make a plan to get home safely.

Here are the upcoming DUI checkpoints for this weekend:

📍 Friday, September 25
• Campbell County – Demory Road @ White Bridge
• Knox County – Mascot Road @ McBee Lane
• Roane County – US 70 @ Caney Creek Road
• Sevier County – SR 338 @ Roberts Road

Be safe, be responsible, and enjoy the game. And remember: if you're drinking, don't drive. We hope you have a great football weekend! Go Vols! 🧡🏈

If you ever have questions about Tennessee DUI laws or your rights, we're always here as a resource. 865-805-5703

We’re incredibly excited and proud to sponsor my son’s team and support Farragut Baseball this season!Having grown up lo...
09/19/2026

We’re incredibly excited and proud to sponsor my son’s team and support Farragut Baseball this season!

Having grown up loving the game, it’s truly a dream come true to now sponsor the league where my own children play. Youth baseball teaches teamwork, discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship—lessons that extend far beyond the field.

We’re grateful for the coaches, volunteers, parents, and families who make this league so special. Barnes & Fersten is proud to support Farragut Baseball, and I’m especially proud to cheer on my son and his teammates this season!

Let’s play ball! ⚾️

Address

109 S. Northshore Drive, Suite 310
Knoxville, TN
37919

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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