Don’t Get Arrested on Drug Charges at Bonnaroo in 2015

There are few music festivals as incredible as Bonnaroo – and the town of Manchester, Tennessee knows it. They have been preparing their town for the influx of 90,000 people since early this year. Unfortunately so have the local, county and state law enforcement. You can be assured that the police will be looking to crack down on attendees for myriad crimes and disturbances. Among the most serious of those crimes will be drug charges.

If you are convicted on drug charges in Tennessee, you face serious, and sometimes long-term, penalties and fines. You could spend time in jail or prison, and college students can lose their scholarships, their right to financial aid or housing, or their place in the university. You may also have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, fees and restitution if convicted.

Different charges mean different potential consequences

Every drug crime conviction is different and the penalties you face depend on the crime you are convicted of committing. At Bonnaroo, the most common drug charges are:

• Possession of marijuana. Weed is still illegal in Tennessee – even if you live in another state where it is legal for medicinal purposes. Depending on how much you have, whether or not you have ever been convicted of possession before, and what your intentions were will determine whether you face misdemeanor or felony charges. If you do have a prescription for medical marijuana, make sure to keep a copy of it on you at all times.
• Possession of paraphernalia. A paraphernalia conviction will likely be a misdemeanor, meaning you will pay fines and spend up to a year in jail. If you are accused and convicted of selling paraphernalia, however, you could face felony charges. This is an important distinction if you are attending Bonnaroo as a vendor selling merchandise used in the smoking or inhalation of tobacco.
• Intent to sell or distribute. Selling or distributing drugs is a felony regardless of which drug you have on your person. If you take a prescription medication, make sure you keep a copy of the script with you so that there can be no mistaking the reason why you have the pills on you.

If you are charged with a drug crime at Bonnaroo, you want a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side. A conviction can follow you around for a life time, so finding the right lawyer is critical to fighting the charges and protecting your future.

For more information about the services we offer to Tennessee visitors and residents, please contact Lowery, Lowery & Cherry, PLLC in Lebanon. Experienced defense lawyer Jeff Cherry may be able to help you if you were charged with a drug crime at Bonnaroo.