What You Need To Know About Drug Possession Defense Bartlett TN

By Ida Dorsey


In criminal law, narcotics and illegal drugs are usually referred to as controlled substances. Some of the most common illegal substances include heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine. Even though some people in Bartlett, TN consider drug possession to be a minor offense, getting convicted for this crime can cause serious consequences.

In Tennessee, the first and second convictions of possessing a controlled substance are class A misdemeanors. Penalties include a fine of up to 2,500 dollars, a year in jail or both. The third and subsequent convictions are class E felonies and the penalties include a fine of up to 3,000 dollars, one to six years in jail or both. People who are found carrying a controlled substance can hire a criminal defense attorney. By working with attorneys who provide drug possession defense Bartlett TN residents can get the representation they need to avoid getting convicted. If they get convicted, their sentences can be reduced.

You can be accused of possessing an illegal substance if you intentionally handled or distributed the substance. In court, the prosecutor will try to prove that you were aware that you were distributing an illegal drug or intended to use it. A prosecutor can prove this by considering the circumstantial evidence in your case.

If you have been arrested for possessing a controlled substance or you are being investigated for the same, you should take immediate action. Whether you are being charged for committing a felony or misdemeanor, a defense lawyer can advise you about the steps you should take. After you inform this professional about your case, he or she will represent you in the best way possible.

A criminal defense lawyer can handle different kinds of drug crimes. When defending you, a lawyer may challenge the stated facts, evidence or testimony in your case. This professional may also target procedural errors like search and seizure violations.

If a police officer failed to follow the legal process when searching for controlled substances, the drugs found in the possession of a defendant cannot be used as evidence in a trial. The charges in such a case may be dismissed. An attorney may also defend a client by coercing the prosecutor to show that the controlled substance found in his or her possession actually belonged to him or her.

An attorney may also pressure the prosecutor to prove that that the substance is illegal by sending the evidence to a crime laboratory for analysis. The crime laboratory analyst must then testify at trial in order for the prosecutor to make his or her case. A skilled lawyer will also ensure that the prosecutor is able to exhibit the actual drugs for which you are being charged.

If a prosecutor loses or lacks the actual drugs, the case can be dismissed. Defense attorneys never assume that evidence still exists when a trial is going on. If you hire an experienced attorney, you can avoid paying hefty fines or going to jail. The professional can negotiate alternative sentences such as community service, house arrest or drug rehabilitation.




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