Murfreesboro Criminal Attorneys Defend Against Possession of Marijuana
A conviction for marijuana possession is serious
Recent media reports of state legislatures throughout the country passing laws legalizing the possession and certain uses of marijuana might make it appear as though this is a nationwide trend. The Murfreesboro criminal defense attorneys at Taylor Law Group want you to know that Tennessee has not joined other states in decriminalizing possession of marijuana or other drugs. In fact, simple possession of a drug is a criminal charge that can take away your freedom and leave you with a criminal record that could affect your ability to get a job in the future.
Marijuana possession is a crime in Tennessee
State law makes it a criminal offense to possess or casually exchange as little as half an ounce of marijuana or a controlled substance that was not prescribed by a licensed health care professional. A violation of the law is a class A misdemeanor. Possession of amounts in excess of one-half ounce of marijuana could be charged as the more serious crime of possession with intent to sell which could be a felony. It is also a felony you are an adult and the person with whom you casually exchange the drug is a minor or if money is exchanged for the drugs.
Legal representation offering alternatives to simple possession penalties
The penalties a judge may impose if you are convicted of simple possession of drugs include up to a year in jail, fines up to $2,500 or probation supervision. Our resourceful and skilled drug defense attorneys work hard to devise the most effective defense strategy based upon the facts and the evidence specific to your case. This includes investigating options that may be available to you, including:
- Judicial Diversion: If this is your first criminal offense, a judicial diversion may be an option. Provided that you stay out of trouble for 11 months and 29 days and pay any fines or probation conditions set by the sentencing judge, your cases is dismissed and the record associated with it is expunged.
- Expungement Following a Conviction: Even if you are convicted of marijuana possession, you can apply to the court to have your criminal record expunged. In order to get your criminal record removed, you must wait five years after your sentence has ended before making the application to the court to expunge the record.
- Defending Against the Charges: Our Murfreesboro criminal attorneys explore all possible defenses to the charges, including challenging unlawful searches and seizures of evidence by the police and incriminating statements obtained from you in violation of your rights under the Fifth Amendment to Constitution.
If you are facing marijuana possession charges, trust our experienced Murfreesboro criminal defense lawyers
The Tennessee criminal defense attorneys at the law firm of Taylor Law Group in Murfreesboro are dedicated to protecting your rights and your future when prosecutors pursue marijuana drug possession charges against you. Contact us online today to arrange for a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can help you, or call 615-890-1982. Our office is conveniently located downtown, next to the historic City Café. We take all major credit cards.