What To Do After Being Charged With A Drug Crime
Drug crimes are among the most legally complex offenses under our state and federal laws. Mounting an effective defense often means tackling tough questions involving the legality of searches, the admissibility of testimony and physical evidence, and the intentions of the accused. If you have been accused of any type of drug crime in Tennessee, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side.
With more than 18 years of successful experience advocating for accused people in the Clarksville area, the attorneys at the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC fight for our clients’ freedom and reputations every step of the way.
How an experienced attorney can help you
Tennessee is a haven for those who manufacture, sell and use illegal drugs. In fact, the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy designated 65 counties across the region as the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Economic pressures in this region make it vulnerable to the lure of trafficking in controlled substances, and the climate is favorable to marijuana production. As a result, federal and state investigators actively investigate drug crimes and frequently make arrests in our region.
If you are charged with a drug crime, you have the right to legal counsel and to have an attorney present during questioning. At the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC, we adhere to the belief that anyone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty and treat all our clients with respect. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, our Clarksville drug crime lawyers handle cases involving:
- Possession
- Manufacture
- Distribution
- Trafficking
Drug crime penalties in Tennessee
Depending upon their severity, drug crimes can range from misdemeanors for simple possession to felonies for distribution and trafficking. If the crime is punishable by less than one year of jail time, it is a misdemeanor, while crimes punishable by a year or more in prison are felonies.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), federal trafficking penalties for 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act can range from ten years to life in prison, depending upon whether it is a first or second offense. In addition to state penalties, drug trafficking convictions under federal law involving large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamines and other Schedule I and II drugs also carry five- to 40-year prison sentences and up to $5 million fines, even for a first offense for the following:
- 500 grams or more cut cocaine
- 28 grams or more cocaine base
- 100 grams or more cut heroin
- 10 grams or more pure PCP
- 100 grams or more cut PCP
- 1 gram or more LSD mixture
- 5 grams or more pure methamphetamine
- 50 grams or more cut methamphetamine
With so much at stake, you need a drug crime attorney in Clarksville who preserves your rights and fights for you. At the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC, a drug crime lawyer thoroughly analyzes all aspects of your case and prepares the strongest possible defense. In some cases, we recommend going to trial, but in other cases, it may be beneficial to negotiate a plea agreement.
We are committed to giving a voice to the accused
The Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC is committed to advocating for the accused in Tennessee and upholding the integrity of the criminal process by forcing state and federal prosecutors to truly prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt. If you have been accused of any type of drug crime or are being investigated by state or federal authorities, call our offices immediately at 931-444-5620 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with an experienced criminal defense attorney at one of our three Clarksville locations.
