There are certain tips for minimizing fines for a drug possession charge in Tennessee, and if you find yourself in this unfortunate position, you either need to be aware of all the laws surrounding your charges or hire an excellent criminal attorney who is aware of the laws in your state and can successfully defend your rights and obtain the very best outcome for you. People make mistakes in their lives and those mistakes should not end up costing you the rest of your future and your freedom.
Potential Fines and Penalties
If you have been charged either with simple possession or a casual exchange of marijuana, you could be facing Class A misdemeanor charges which can carry fines of up to $2500 and up to one year in hail. If this happens to be your second conviction, the stakes go up considerably, and you could face Class E felony charges with a fine of up to $3000, and a potential prison sentence of 1-6 years.
If you are charged with marijuana possession with the intent to sell or deliver, the fines are even stiffer. The fines and jail time are related to what amount you were caught with, with the greatest being more than 300 lbs. This is a Class A felony and results in 15-60 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. The minimum is .5 oz. to 10 lbs of marijuana which is a Class E felony, and carries a $5000 fine and 1-6 years in prison.
Cocaine possession of less than .5 grams of cocaine can be charged as a Class C felony and carries fines of up to $100,000. Cocaine sale, depending on the amount, can be charged as a Class A,B, or C felony, and carry fines from $2000 to $300,000.
Possible Defenses
Because there is such a huge disparity in the possible fines for your drug possession charge in Tennessee you need an aggressive attorney who can argue in your defense. Perhaps he can assert that the police did not have the legal right to search you in the first place--did they have a warrant, or probable cause? If not, then it was an illegal search. If your car, house, apartment or person were searched without probably cause or legal right, you are entitled to a fourth amendment challenge.
Assuming the police did, in fact, have a legal right to search you, are they able to unequivocally prove that the drugs in question actually belong to you? You might not have even known there were drugs in your car or home, as they could have been left by a friend or roommate.
Contact an Attorney
In any case, a drug conviction can leave you with a permanent criminal history which can change the course of your life. Because of a mistake, you could be barred from obtaining the employment of your choice, could lose your home or car because of the fines you are assessed, or could spend serious time in jail or prison. A good criminal attorney can get your charges lowered or even dismissed, and will know how to minimize your potential fines. Hiring an experienced criminal attorney is well-worth the money you will pay as it could ensure your life is subject to the least amount of upheaval after your drug possession charges.
