Knoxville Drug Crimes Lawyer

Fighting Drug Charges in Knox County

Drug crimes are among the most common offenses heard in Tennessee courts. According to the “Current Drug Trends” issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 80 percent of crimes in the state have a drug-related factor. These crimes can range from a simple exchange of marijuana between individuals to methamphetamine labs large drug trafficking rings and even healthcare providers prescribing and dispensing medication. For anyone accused of a drug crime, how you are charged and the penalties you will face will depend on if it is a state or federal crime, the quantity of drugs involved, and whether other aggravating factors exist. Regardless how you are charged, your first priority should be to find an aggressive legal team to defend you.

The Bosch Law Firm, P.C. offers valuable legal knowledge, vast amounts of experience, and recognition for its founding partner as a top criminal defense attorney in the nation. Our firm has helped countless individuals fight drug charges successfully. Once we take on your case, we can use our resource of specialized investigators to investigate every aspect of your situation to determine the best strategy for your defense. Our team of Knoxville drug crime attorneys have trial experience, strong negotiation skills, and a deep familiarity with Tennessee and federal law, court proceedings, and local court officials.

Are you facing a drug crime? Call The Bosch Law Firm, P.C. today at (865) 225-6466or contact us online to meet with our drug crime attorney in Knoxville.

Drug Crimes in Tennessee

Drug crimes consist of activities involving controlled substances that are listed under the Tennessee Drug Control Act of 1989. These substances are classified into Schedules according to their potential for addiction and abuse.

Examples of illegal drugs in Tennessee include but are not limited to:

Drug crimes also include the unauthorized or fraudulent prescription or use of prescription medicines, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, Adderall, Valium, and more.

Drug crimes can include simple possession, possession with the intent to sell, actual sales of illegal drugs, drug trafficking that involves large quantities of drugs moving across the state or across state lines, and drug cultivation or manufacture as in marijuana farms or meth labs. Charges for these crimes can range from a misdemeanor for simple possession to high-level felonies.

Is Marijuana legal in Tennessee?

While marijuana has been legalized or decriminalized in other states, it is illegal and remains a crime in Tennessee. If you are caught with half an ounce or less in a first offense, you will be charged with a misdemeanor that carries up to a year in jail and/or a fine of at least $250. A subsequent similar offense carries the same jail term with a fine of at least $500. Fines for possession in these cases is mandatory.

Other Drug Penalties

If you are charged with a first-offense simple possession of any other controlled substance, you will generally be charged with a misdemeanor as well. However, after two or more of such convictions, you will be charged with a felony. You will also be charged with a felony for all other drug crimes, such as possession with intent to sell all the way up to drug trafficking. These felonies carry penalties ranging from two up to 25 years for the most serious felonies along with fines of $5,000 up to $25,000. Second and subsequent offenses will lead to longer sentences. Other penalties can include probation, community service, forfeiture of assets, or the suspension of your driver’s license.

Convictions in federal cases can be even more serious with harsher consequences. Acquittals, dismissals, or minor convictions in federal court cannot currently be expunged.

Other consequences of drug crime convictions can be a criminal record that limits your ability to find a job, loss of gun and voting rights, ineligibility for federal student financial aid, and negative immigration consequences for noncitizens.