Skilled Lebanon Drug Possession Defense Lawyers Fighting For You

What are the drug possession laws in Tennessee?

By law, drug possession is defined as having or being in control of any controlled dangerous substance (CDS) or unauthorized prescription medications. If you possess drug paraphernalia, or any accessories that relate to drug use, production, or drug distribution, you can also be charged with drug possession.

Even if you have a drug in your possession for personal use, if you have a CDS without a valid prescription, it’s considered illegal. According to Tennessee statutes, a first or second possession conviction is a Class A misdemeanor, with fines up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail. If the simple possession is for methamphetamine, the minimum jail sentence is 30 days to serve on the first offense. Three or more drug possession convictions are Class E felonies, which can lead to fines of up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison.

Based on the specific circumstances, someone charged with drug possession might also be charged with drug possession with the intent to distribute. These circumstances include:

• The amount and location of the drug
• How the drug is stored
• The presence of a scale or other measuring device
• Possession of large sums of money

Are there different types of drug possession charges in TN?

Drug possession is, quite simply, the crime of possessing illegal drugs for any purpose, including:

• Personal use
• Distribution
• Sale

However, there are two different types of possession of which you should be aware – simple possession and possession with intent to distribute.

Simple possession (casual exchange)

Tennessee law considers simple possession, or casual exchange, the least serious drug crime. To be charged with possession with intent, the sale of a controlled substance, or trafficking, it requires that a person have a larger quantity of the drug. For simple possession (less than one-half ounce or 14.17 grams), the government must prove that the defendant knowingly possessed or exchanged a controlled substance, unless they had a valid prescription.

The possible penalties for simple possession or casual exchange include:

• No less than 30 days in jail (mandatory minimum only on methamphetamine)
• Participation in a drug recovery court program
• Required attendance at a drug offender school
• Community service
• Fines of up to $2,500
• Probation
• Court costs and fees

An example of simple possession might be a person arrested at Bonnaroo with less than a half an ounce of weed, while possession with intent involves holding larger quantities of drugs. A simple possession charge will typically be prosecuted in a state court. However, if the arrest was made in a state park or on federal property, the charges will be made in federal court.

While marijuana has been legalized for personal use in many places throughout the country, it is still illegal in Tennessee and it carries criminal charges. Possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor which carries serious penalties, and it will be part of your criminal record.

Possession with intent charges

If an individual is found to be in possession of more than enough drugs for personal use, they can be charged with possession with intent to distribute. Additionally, possessing the items required to sell or distribute drugs, such as scales and baggies, can help prove the intention to distribute drugs.

Possessing a controlled substance with the intention to manufacture, deliver, or sell it can be a Class B felony, depending on the schedule of the substance and the quantity in question. The severity of penalties for a drug possession conviction varies depending on several factors, including:

• The type and amount of drug involved
• The circumstances of the arrest
• Jurisdiction

For possession with intent, a person might face fines of anywhere between $2,000 and $500,000, mandatory minimum jail sentences, fees, and other court costs.

Penalties for possessing drugs with the intent to sell them are generally much higher than for simple possession, and they are also more severe if you possess drugs with a higher potential to cause injury or death. The specific drug crime charges you face may also vary based on the type and amount of drug in your possession as well as any past drug convictions you may have. Also, penalties are often twice as harsh if evidence suggests that the drugs were intended for sale to minors.

Whether you are facing charges of simple possession or casual exchange, or possession with intent, you are facing some significant penalties and adverse consequences in your life if you are convicted.