Franklin Drug Lawyer Helps Clients Fight Marijuana Charges

Helping you to avoid serious jail time by providing a strong legal defense

Marijuana may be legal in some other countries and even in some other U.S. states, but it is still very much illegal in Tennessee. If you get caught in possession of even a small amount of marijuana – and even if it is your first offense – the maximum sentence is about a year in jail. The penalties only compound the more you have of the drug or the more charges you receive.

You need the best legal defense you can get to avoid these charges or to have the penalties reduced. I have worked in the state attorney general’s office and in private practice, and I have over 30 years of experience defending clients. I can put that experience to work for you helping you fight your marijuana charges in Franklin and the Nashville area. I turn over the details of your case to find the best legal options for helping you fight the charges, preserve your record, and avoid jail time and hefty fines.

What are the TN marijuana laws?

Tennessee has some harsh penalties if you are convicted of marijuana charges. If you are convicted of simple possession or casual exchange, with no sales involved, the maximum penalties are as follows:

• Up to a year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine for a half ounce or less on a first offense. The mandatory minimum fine is $250 for a first offense.
• Up to a year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine for a half ounce or less for a subsequent offense. The mandatory minimum fine is $500 for a second offense.

Possession results in a misdemeanor conviction.

If you are convicted of selling marijuana, the charges are more serious. You will have a felony conviction, and you will face penalties including:

• One to six years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine for a half ounce up to 10 pounds of marijuana
• Two to 12 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine for 10 pounds 1 gram to 70 pounds of marijuana
• Three to ten years in prison and up to a $100,000 fine for 20 to 99 marijuana plants
• Eight to 30 years in jail and up to a $200,000 fine for 70 to 300 pounds of marijuana, or 100 to 499 marijuana plants
• 15 to 60 years in jail and up to a $500,000 fine for more than 300 pounds of marijuana or 500 or more marijuana plants

These penalties are increased for each subsequent conviction. You can also face serious penalties for possession or sale of hash or concentrates, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and the falsification of a drug test.

When such serious penalties are at risk, it is essential that you work with a skilled and experienced Franklin drug lawyer to fight the charges. I am dedicated to helping my clients avoid a marijuana conviction by creating the strongest legal defense possible. I use my extensive experience and intimate knowledge of the law to find the best defense options depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

Options for defending marijuana charges

Fortunately, there are many options for defending marijuana charges in Tennessee, but it takes a skilled defense attorney to get the results you want. Some of the many legal options I explore for my clients include:

• Challenging the legality of the traffic stop or search that led to the discovery of the marijuana
• Discrediting witnesses providing testimony that led to the charges
• Challenging the circumstances surrounding a supposed “sale” to show that only simple possession or casual exchange was involved
• Negotiating to have the charges reduced to simple possession or to a lower amount

The specific defense options will depend on the exact details of your case. I will study your criminal record (if any), examine the details of your arrest and the evidence used in your case, and search for any extenuating circumstances that may affect the case. If necessary, we can hire an investigator or other expert to examine the evidence, question the witnesses, or provide other analysis to either undermine the case against you or to show proof of your innocence.

I work with clients who are facing their first marijuana charges, as well as those who are facing serious felony trafficking charges on top of having an extensive criminal history. I am dedicated to providing the same rigorous defense to all my clients, no matter how serious their charges or how extensive their criminal record.

Call today to work with a dedicated Franklin drug crime attorney who will fight for you

Don’t leave your future to chance. Call my office today at (615) 791-8511 or use my secure online form to start talking about your legal options. I will give you an understanding of the potential outcomes for your case so you can make the best decision about your legal defense. My goal is to protect your rights and minimize the penalties you face, and I will fight for you until the end.