Drug Charges Defense
Philip N. Clark, Esq.
If you’ve been charged with a drug-related offense in Tennessee, the consequences can be severe and life-changing. You need a defense team that knows how prosecutors build their cases and how to get you the best possible outcome – all while protecting your rights and interests. PNC Law provides experienced legal representation for clients facing all types of drug charges in Nashville and across Davidson County.
At PNC Law, we analyze every detail of your case to challenge unlawful searches, questionable evidence, and procedural errors, all with one goal: advocating for your freedom and your future. Since each case is unique, we work to create personal legal defense strategies that we believe will get you the best possible outcome. Contact us today to get a Nashville drug crime attorney who will fight for you at every step on your side.
Nashville Drug Charges Defense Lawyer
Satisfied Client Stories
Why Drug Crimes Are So Serious in Tennessee
Tennessee takes a tough stance on drug-related offenses. A conviction can lead to:
- Jail or prison sentences ranging from months to decades.
- Steep fines that create long-term financial strain.
- Loss of employment and difficulty finding future job opportunities.
- Suspension of professional licenses for certain careers.
- Permanent criminal record that impacts housing, education, and personal reputation.
These consequences make it essential to work with a proven drug crimes lawyer in Nashville TN who can identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and fight aggressively on your behalf.
Tennessee law treats drug crimes very seriously, and charges can carry life-altering consequences. Navigating the legal system after being hit with a drug-related offense, however, can be complicated and overwhelming with each drug being categorized differently and differing consequences depending on if you have been arrested for possession, cultivation, distribution, or some combination.
That’s why having a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner is pivotal. At PNC Law, we place an emphasis on advocating for your rights, analyzing the evidence, and preparing a legal strategy to best serve your case. We talk more in this article about the different ways Tennessee handles drug crimes and their consequences.
Drug Schedules
In Tennessee, illegal controlled substances (CDS) are classified into seven different schedules, with Schedule I being the most dangerous drugs with no recognized medicinal value and Schedule VII being the drugs with the lowest potential to be abused and most likely medicinal value. Below are some of the most common drugs in each category.
- Schedule I: heroin, LSD, mushrooms
- Schedule II: cocaine, morphine, opium
- Schedule III: anabolic steroids, ketamine
- Schedule IV: Xanax, Valium
- Schedule V: medicines with certain amounts of codeine and opium (like Lomotil and Motofen)
- Schedule VI: marijuana, THC
- Schedule VII: butyl nitrite (poppers)
Drug Possession Penalties
As with many offenses in Tennessee, the consequences of the First and second convictions for possession are Class A misdemeanors with up to 1 year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. Third and subsequent convictions are Class E felonies with up to $3,000 in fines and 1 to 6 years in prison, as well as required attendance to a drug offender school and possibly community service performance.
Where the violation took place can also have a bearing on the severity of the offense. For example, if certain behavior is committed within 1,000 feet of drug-free zones like a school, library, or recreational area, the defendant could also be fined $10,000 on top of whatever the charge normally carries.
Drug Manufacturing and Selling Penalties
While possession is one charge, distribution can be another one entirely, and you could be charged and convicted for both. Manufacturing, selling, or intending to do so is punishable by its own set of charges, as detailed below.
- Schedule I CDS and 0.5 grams or more of cocaine or methamphetamine: Class B felony with up to $100,000 in fines and 8 to 30 years in prison
- Schedule II CDS and 0.5 grams or less of cocaine or methamphetamine or any amount of flunitrazepam: Class C felony with a fine of up to $100,000 and 3 to 15 years in prison
- Schedule III and IV CDS: Class D felony with up to $50,000 in fines and 2 to 12 years in prison
- Schedule V CDS: Class E felony with a fine of up to $5,000 and 1 to 6 years in prison
- Schedule VII CDS: Class E felony with a fine of up to $1,000 and 1 to 6 years in prison
It is also either a Class A felony or a Class B felony to make, sell, or conspire to make or sell specified amounts of certain substances. A Class A offense is punishable by up to $500,000 in fines and 15 to 60 years in prison while a Class B offense carries a fine of up to $200,000 and 8 to 30 years in prison. These CDS’s include the following:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Morphine
- PCP
- Amphetamine or methamphetamine
- Hydromorphone
- LSD
- Peyote
- Pentazocine or tripelennamine
- Phenmetrazine
- Barbituric acid
Marijuana-specific Penalties
As a Schedule VI drug, marijuana and its related products carry their own penalties depending on amount for possession and distribution. Below, we break down the amounts and the associated charges and fines.
- Less than 0.5 ounces of marijuana: Class A misdemeanor with up to $2,500 in fines and up to 11 months and 29 days in prison
- 0.5 ounces to 10 pounds of marijuana: Class E felony with $2,000 to $5,000 in fines and 1 to 6 years in prison
- 10 to 70 pounds of marijuana or 10 to 19 plants: Class D felony with $2,000 to $50,000 in fines and 2 to 12 years in prison
- 20 to 99 plants, regardless of weight: Class C felony with $2,000 to $100,000 in fines and 3 to 15 years in prison
- 70 to 300 pounds of marijuana or 100 to 499 plants: Class B felony with $2,000 to $200,000 in fines and 8 to 30 years in prison
- 300 pounds or more of marijuana or 500 or more plants: Class A felony with $2,000 to $500,000 in fines and 15 to 60 years in prison
Depending on whether it is a first-time charge or a recurring offense, each charge carries mandatory minimums for fines and jail time.
Drug Defense Strategies
Just because you have been arrested for a drug-related crime does not mean that you do not have rights and avenues with which to defend yourself. The attorneys at PNC Law employ a variety of legal defense strategies unique to each client’s circumstances to present the strongest case possible. From challenging the validity of a search warrant to asserting a lack of possession, finding the right argument to weaken the case against you can mean the difference between felony jail time and a case dismissed.
For example, one common defense is questioning whether the state had the right to search you, your car, or your house to begin with. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you from unlawful search and seizure, which subsequently bars any evidence obtained from an illegal search from being presented in court. If that right was violated, whatever is found on you or your property can be deemed inadmissible in court.
Understanding the defenses available to you is a crucial part of building a solid legal strategy to get you the best outcome possible. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced, prudent defense attorney in your corner.
What Sets Me Apart as a Nashville Drug Crimes Attorney
Unlike general practice lawyers, I focus specifically on criminal defense. That means I understand how Davidson County prosecutors build drug cases—and more importantly, how to dismantle them. My approach includes:
- Thorough investigation of searches, traffic stops, and arrests.
- Challenging illegal searches and seizures that violate constitutional rights.
- Examining evidence and lab reports for inaccuracies or inconsistencies.
- Negotiating reduced charges or dismissals when possible.
- Aggressive courtroom defense when trial is the best path forward.
This strategic, client-focused defense has helped countless clients protect their futures.
Local Knowledge, Strong Defense
The Nashville and Davidson County court systems have their own unique processes, tendencies, and expectations. As a drug crimes lawyer in Nashville TN, I know the judges, prosecutors, and procedures that will shape your case. That local knowledge gives me an advantage in building the strongest possible defense strategy tailored to your situation.
Don’t Face Drug Charges Alone
From simple possession to felony drug trafficking, every case deserves a personalized defense. The stakes are high, and prosecutors will not take it easy on you. Having an experienced Nashville drug crimes attorney by your side could mean the difference between prison and freedom, or between a conviction and a dismissal.
Contact a Proven Drug Crimes Lawyer in Nashville TN
Drug-related charges can carry serious consequences, but you don’t have to navigate them on your own. At PNC Law, our experienced defense attorneys know how to challenge the evidence against you, protect your rights, and guide you through every step of the legal process. Contact PNC Law today for a confidential consultation and support focused on securing the best possible outcome for you.
Your future matters—let’s protect it together.
Connect with Philip N. Clark right away!
(615) 785-2000
Legal Reference
For more details on Tennessee’s drug statutes, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-401 et seq.