Meth Crimes

Tennessee law enforcement is focused on uncovering and preventing the illegal manufacture, distribution, and use of methamphetamine. As a result, many people charged with meth crimes will face aggressive prosecution and harsh penalties if convicted, including mandatory minimum sentences. Nashville meth crime attorney Bernie McEvoy has significant experience in felony drug cases and has successfully defended people against meth charges. If you have been arrested for selling, manufacturing, or possessing meth, or for any other meth, heroin, or other drug crime in Davidson or Williamson Counties, attorney McEvoy can provide trusted advice and legal representation.

Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or crystal meth, and any compounds or mixtures that contain methamphetamine are Schedule II controlled substances under Tennessee law. Illegally possessing methamphetamine in any amount may result in an arrest and drug charge in Tennessee. Simple possession is a criminal offense for knowingly possessing meth without intending to sell or distribute it. Simple possession may also be charged for causally exchanging meth with another person. Simple possession alone is typically a Class A misdemeanor, but may be elevated to a felony charge under certain circumstances.

Possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture it is a more serious crime than simple possession, and a meth crime lawyer serving Nashville can help you defend against charges of this nature. Possession with intent is a felony offense with penalties that may include a lengthy prison sentence, large fines, a drug recovery program, and/or other consequences if you are convicted. In a possession with intent case, the prosecution must prove that the defendant was knowingly in possession of the meth and that the defendant intended to sell, deliver, or manufacture methamphetamine. Manufacturing, delivering, or selling methamphetamine is also a felony offense under the same statute.

Tennessee has enacted legislation specifically intended to address meth production occurring within the state by prohibiting promotion and initiation of meth manufacture. The promotion of methamphetamine manufacture is a felony offense that can be charged for selling, purchasing, acquiring, or delivering a chemical, drug, or ingredient knowing that it will be used to produce methamphetamine, or with reckless disregard of its intended use. A property owner may also be charged for promotion of meth for permitting someone to use their property to manufacture meth, or with reckless disregard of the person’s intent.

Developing an appropriate defense strategy in a meth case generally involves a careful review of the charges, which an experienced Nashville meth crime attorney can help you with. The events that led to the arrest, the circumstances surrounding a police search or application for a search warrant, police and prosecutorial conduct, the evidence against the defendant, and other details may be examined by a defense attorney. Any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case may be considered and possibly presented in court as part of the defense. Some examples of defenses to methamphetamine crimes that may apply, depending on the specific facts of the case, include that the defendant did not have the intent required to commit the crime, the defendant legally possessed the methamphetamine pursuant to a valid prescription, the defendant did not know that the substance was methamphetamine, the drugs did not belong to the defendant, the evidence of the crime was obtained in an illegal search and seizure, the defendant was mistakenly identified as the perpetrator, or there is other evidence showing that the defendant did not commit the crime. To learn about the options that may be available in your particular situation, you may discuss the details of your case with a qualified Nashville defense lawyer.

If you have been arrested for a meth crime, your future may be at stake. Attorney Bernie McEvoy has defended numerous people facing criminal charges related to drugs, DUI, domestic violence, and other offenses in Nashville, Franklin, and other cities within Davidson and Williamson Counties. Contact the Law Office of Bernie McEvoy by calling our daytime phone number at (615) 255-9595 or (615) 804-8779 after hours and on weekends to request a free consultation, or use the contact form on our website.