Drug Possession Lawyers in Memphis

Put 30+ Years of Experience on Your Side

Drug crimes could lead to severe consequences depending on the circumstances of your arrest. If you are caught with a particular type of drug or a certain amount of a controlled substance, you could be facing jail time and huge fines.

If you’ve been accused of drug possession, make sure you call one of our experienced Memphis drug crimes attorney. The Law Office of Stephen R. Leffler, P.C. is a firm committed to effective communication with our clients, so we always tailor our legal services to your specific needs. Let us see what we can do for your case.

Contact Us Today: (901) 509-9112 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with our drug possession lawyers in Memphis.

What Are the Drug Categories?

Many states have adopted the federal classification of controlled substances into “schedules.” Tennessee is no exception. Depending on the controlled substances you are found with, you could be facing a much more severe sentence. The following is how Tennessee law identifies controlled substances:

• Schedule I: drugs that are the most dangerous and have a high risk of dependency or addiction and no legitimate medical use (for example, LSD, heroin, ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms)
• Schedule II: drugs that have a high risk of abuse but may have legitimate medical uses (for example, cocaine, opium, methadone, and amphetamines)
• Schedule III: slightly less dangerous drugs than Schedule II, but still have a moderate risk of abuse (for example, anabolic steroids, testosterone, ketamine, and some depressants)
• Schedule IV: drugs with a slight risk of dependency and acceptable medical uses (for example, tranquilizers, sedatives, and clonazepam)
• Schedule V: drugs with low risk of dependence (for example, Tylenol with codeine)
• Schedule VI: marijuana, which has a low risk of physical dependence
• Schedule VII: Butyl Nitrate (poppers)

Penalties for Drug Possession in Tennessee

Simple possession or casual exchange is the least serious drug offense in the state. A small amount of a controlled substance could land you with this charge, but if you have too much of a controlled substance, you could be accused of felony possession or trafficking. Simple possession or casual exchange is a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $2,500.

If this is your second or subsequent offense, you will be charged with a Class E felony, which could result in a prison sentence of 1 to 6 years and fines of up to $3,000. A judge may also sentence you to take drug education classes, at his or her discretion.

Reach Out to Our Drug Possession Attorneys: (901) 509-9112 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation today.