Nashville Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Nashville Drug Trafficking Attorney

Law enforcement is extremely active in Nashville, and the justice system often hands down harsh penalties for drug offenses. A drug trafficking case can impact your personal and professional life and threaten your freedom. Individuals who are accused of drug charges need to understand their rights. A Nashville drug trafficking lawyer can explain the charges and possible outcomes and craft a strategy for your defense.

Hire a Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Nashville, TN

If you are facing drug trafficking charges, you don’t want to trust just anyone with your defense. When you work with The Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez, you are working with a former Nashville prosecutor who understands the legal system. Nashville criminal defense attorney Arbelaez has over eight years of criminal law experience and offers compassionate representation.

Drug Trafficking Crimes

The Drug Investigation Division assists local law enforcement with criminal offenses that involve controlled substances. The Division was responsible for the arrest of 911 drug offenders that resulted in 460 convictions in 2023.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, located at 600 Murfreesboro Pk, Nashville, TN 37210, provides law enforcement services in metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN. In 2024, the Nashville Metro PD reported 2,351 drug charges. Of those, 84.7% were for possessing or concealing, 10.4% for using or consuming, and 4.9% were filed as other.

If an individual is caught manufacturing, possessing, selling, or delivering a controlled substance and has the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, they may be charged with drug trafficking. Drug offenses are taken very seriously in Tennessee, and offenders can face harsh penalties that are influenced by the type of drug (Schedule or classification) and quantity.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Tennessee

The use of Marijuana in Tennessee is illegal, even though many other states have legalized this drug. Marijuana is considered a Schedule IV controlled substance, and penalties are determined by the quantity:

• Class E felony for 0.5 ounce to 10 pounds with a fine up to $5,000 and one to six years in prison
• Class D felony for 10 to 70 pounds with a fine up to $50,000 and two to six years in prison
• Class B felony for 70 to 300 pounds with a fine up to $200,000 and eight to 30 years in prison
• Class A felony for more than 300 pounds with a fine of up to $500,000 and 15 to 60 years in prison

Schedule I and II drugs include heroin, Methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, Psilocybin, Ketamine, and Bath Salts. The state of Tennessee has the most severe punishments for Schedule I and II controlled substances:

• Class C felony for less than 0.5 grams with a fine up to $100,000 and three to 15 years in prison
• Class B felony for more than 0.5 grams with a fine up to $100,000 and eight to 30 years in prison
• Class A felony for more than 300 grams with a fine of up to $500,000 and 15 to 60 years in prison

The Tennessee legislature is especially concerned with the impact of Fentanyl in communities and has imposed the following punishments:

• Class C felony for less than 0.5 grams with a sentence of three to 15 years in prison
• Class B felony for more than 0.5 grams with a fine up to $100,000 and eight to 30 years in prison
• Class B felony for more than 15 grams with a fine of up to $200,000 and eight to 30 years in prison
• Class A felony for 150 grams or more, with a fine up to $500,000 and 15 to 60 years in prison

In addition to the penalties listed above, there are also circumstances where a sentence can be enhanced. If an offense occurs within 500 feet of a school, childcare center, park, or library, the penalty may be enhanced at the judge’s discretion. The outcome can be especially harsh if there were children present.

Another potential enhancement circumstance is if the individual was in possession of a firearm during the drug trafficking. This scenario will result in a mandatory consecutive sentence, which means the gun sentence cannot begin until the drug trafficking sentence has been served.

FAQs About Nashville, TN Drug Trafficking Law

What Is Considered Drug Trafficking in Tennessee?

Drug trafficking in Tennessee refers to the illegal manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. A controlled substance can be any drug classified under Schedule I through Schedule IV. Drugs are categorized based on two factors: the potential for abuse and dependency, and the acceptable medical use. Schedule I drugs have the highest demonstrated potential for abuse and can lead to serious physical and psychological dependency.

What’s the Minimum Sentence for Drug Trafficking in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the minimum sentence for drug trafficking will be impacted by the Schedule of the drug and the amount of the drug involved. An example of a minimum sentence for a Schedule I drug, cocaine, includes a charge of a Class C felony for quantities of less than 0.5 grams. This charge carries a sentence of three to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

How to Beat a Drug Charge in TN?

The first step to beating a drug charge in TN is to consult with an experienced drug trafficking attorney who can help you navigate the legal system. A strong defense may include questioning the evidence collected by law enforcement, such as whether the search conducted was lawful. Your attorney will also ask if you knew your rights. If you were questioned without being informed of your rights, any statements you made may be inadmissible in court.

Do First-Time Drug Offenders Go to Jail in Tennessee?

First-time drug offenders may be able to avoid jail in Tennessee based on the unique characteristics of their case and the type of drug offense. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, you may be able to avoid jail time and will likely face community service, fines, or probation. A felony charge is more serious, and jail time is a real possibility. Factors such as the type and amount of the drug will influence the sentence.

Contact Nashville Drug Trafficking Lawyer

The Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez treats clients with respect and compassion. If you are facing drug trafficking charges, you want to work with an attorney who cares about you and the outcome of your case. Contact the office to learn how we can help.

Nashville, TN Drug Trafficking Law Resources:

• Franklin, TN Crime Rate – Latest Statistics
• Tennessee Crime Rate Statistics
• Murfreesboro, TN Crime Rates and Statistics
• Nashville, TN Crime Rates and Statistics
• What Are the Top Five Crimes Committed in Tennessee?
• What Is the Difference Between Parole and Probation in Tennessee?
• How Much Does a DUI Cost in Tennessee?

Serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee

When you’re facing criminal charges in Nashville or throughout Middle Tennessee, your future, freedom, and reputation hang in the balance. At the Law Office of Cesar Arbelaez, we understand that a conviction can devastate not only your life but also the lives of your family members. Our dedicated criminal defense attorney brings nearly a decade of experience fighting for clients accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies.

Based in Nashville and serving the greater Davidson County area, The Music City Defender has built a reputation for aggressive representation and strategic defense work that protects clients’ Constitutional rights at every stage of the criminal justice process. Whether you’re facing charges in Nashville’s municipal courts, Tennessee state courts, or federal court, our firm has the experience and resources necessary to mount a comprehensive defense tailored to the unique circumstances of your case.

Whether you’ve been arrested for a DUI on Broadway, charged with assault in downtown Nashville, accused of drug crimes, or facing any other criminal allegations in Middle Tennessee, partnering with a Nashville criminal defense lawyer who understands Tennessee’s criminal justice system and is prepared to fight relentlessly for your rights can be the decisive factor between conviction and freedom, between a ruined future and a second chance.