Methamphetamine can be taken three different ways. It can be taken by snorting the powder, by needle injection, or by smoking. Abusers become addicted quickly, and there is a severe methamphetamine problem throughout the southern states. At this time, the most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction are behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral and contingency management interventions.

Methamphetamine is considered to be a Schedule II controlled substance under Tennessee law. In Tennessee, it is an offense for someone to knowingly:

Manufacture methamphetamine;

Deliver methamphetamine;

Sell methamphetamine; or

Possess methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell methamphetamine.

The penalties for methamphetamine violations are severe. The penalty depends upon the amount of methamphetamine involved in the offense. If you violate the above, and the amount of methamphetamine involved is point five (.5) grams or more of any substance containing methamphetamine, then the violation is a Class B felony. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-417 (c)(1) (2007). Class B felonies are punishable between eight and thirty years incarceration. In addition, you could be fined up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).

If you violate the above, and the amount of methamphetamine involved is point five (.5) grams or less of any substance containing methamphetamine, then the violation is a Class C felony. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-417 (c)(2)(a) (2007). Class C felonies are punishable between three and fifteen years incarceration. The maximum fine remains at one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).

If the offense involves less than point five (.5) grams of methamphetamine, but the defendant carried or employed a deadly weapon or the offense resulted in death or bodily injury to another person, the offense is a Class B felony. If you have been charges with the manufacture, delivery, selling, or possession of methamphetamine, contact a Tennessee narcotics attorney. Our lawyers handle drug cases in the East Tennessee area including Sevierville, Knoxville, Newport, Maryville, Loudon, Morristown, and Johnson City.

• Threatens, by telephone, in writing, or by electronic communication, including electronic mail or internet services, to take action known to be unlawful against any person, and by this action knowingly annoys or alarms the recipient;
• Places one or more telephone calls anonymously, or at an hour or hours known to be inconvenient to the victim, or in an offensively repetitious manner, or without a legitimate purpose of communication, and by this action knowingly annoys or alarms the recipient; or
• Communicates by telephone to another that a relative or other person has been injured, killed or is ill when the communication is known to be false. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-308 (2007).
• A violation here is a Class A misdemeanor.

This statute encompasses the typical harassment forms of conduct such as late night phone calls, communication involving unlawful conduct, and false communication concerning the death of a family member. A more serious form of harassment occurs when the defendant in a criminal case harasses the victim.

A person convicted of a criminal offense commits harassment if, while incarcerated, on pre-trial diversion, probation, community correction or parole, the person intentionally communicates in person with the victim of the person's crime if the communication is:

• Anonymous or threatening or made in an offensively repetitious manner or at hours known to be inconvenient to the victim;
• Made for no legitimate purpose; and
• Made knowing that it will alarm or annoy the victim.

If the victim of the person's offense died as the result of the offense, then the deceased victim's next-of-kin shall be considered the victim. This form of harassment constitutes a Class E felony if convicted. If you are charged with harassment under Tennessee criminal law, contact a criminal defense attorney. Our offices handle these charges in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Greenville, Morristown, Jefferson City, Sevierville, Newport, Knoxville, Loudon, and Maryville.

Tennessee recognizes three forms of statutory rape: mitigated statutory rape, statutory rape, and aggravated statutory rape. Under Tennessee law, statutory rape is the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or of the defendant by the victim when:

• The victim is at least thirteen (13) but less than fifteen (15) years of age and the defendant is at least four (4) years but less than ten (10) years older than the victim; or

• The victim is at least fifteen (15) but less than eighteen (18) years of age and the defendant is more than five (5) but less than ten (10) years older than the victim. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-506 (2007).

The penalties for statutory rape can be severe. Statutory rape is a Class E felony under Tennessee law. Class E felonies are punishable by incarceration of not less than one year or more than six years. In addition, Class E felonies are punishable by a fine not to exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000). Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111 (2007). A conviction of statutory rape will have sexual offender registry implications as well. If you have been charged with statutory rape, or any other sex crime in East Tennessee, contact a Tennessee sex crime lawyer. Our attorneys defend clients accused of committing sex crimes in Knoxville,

If you are charged with a sex crime in Tennessee, protect your rights by contacting a sex crime lawyer for a free initial consultation. Many times, these charges come down to circumstantial evidence. Our firm handles sex crimes cases including charges of:

• Rape
• Statutory Rape
• Sexual Battery
• Indecent Exposure
• Exploitation of a Minor by Electronic means

False accusations of any sex crime will cause a disaster in your life. When facing such allegations, you need an attorney to defend you aggressively. Given the fact that you may face time in prison and a long-lasting societal stigma, it is important to know that your lawyer will work diligently for you.

You deserve an aggressive advocate who is on your side. Call for a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer about your case. Tennessee criminal defense lawyers handle sex crime cases in Knoxville, Sevierville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Morristown, Newport, Maryville, Alcoa, Loudon, and Gatlinburg.

The burglary statute discussed below only applies to intrusions involving buildings that are not habitations and those involving motor vehicles.

According to modern Tennessee law, a person commits burglary who, without the effective consent of the property owner:

• Enters a building other than a habitation (or any portion thereof) not open to the public, with intent to commit a felony, theft or assault;
• Remains concealed, with the intent to commit a felony, theft or assault, in a building;
• Enters a building and commits or attempts to commit a felony, theft or assault; or
• Enters any freight or passenger car, automobile, truck, trailer, boat, airplane or other motor vehicle with intent to commit a felony, theft or assault or commits or attempts to commit a felony, theft or assault. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-402 (2007).

The word “enter” as used above means:

• Intrusion of any part of the body; or
• Intrusion of any object in physical contact with the body or any object controlled by remote control, electronic or otherwise.

Intrusion with the intent to commit misdemeanor theft is included in burglary because of the practical impossibility of proving that a trespasser intended to steal property of sufficient value to constitute a felony theft.

If you are convicted under any of the top three bullets above, the violation is a Class D felony. If you are convicted under the last bullet above, the violation is a Class E felony. Tennessee criminal defense lawyers understand the complex issues associated with a burglary charge and work to ensure that citizens charged with this criminal offenses are treated fairly. Our office handles burglary charges in Knoxville, Sevierville, Maryville, Newport, Morristown, Johnson City, and Chattanooga.

• Force or coercion is used to accomplish the act;
• The sexual contact is accomplished without the consent of the victim and the defendant knows or has reason to know at the time of the contact that the victim did not consent;
• The defendant knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; or
• The sexual contact is accomplished by fraud. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-505 (2007).

Coercion means the threat of kidnapping, extortion, force or violence to be performed immediately or in the future. Sexual battery is a Class E felony.

Being charged with a sex offense can lead to very serious consequences including jail time, probation, parole, significant fines, registration requirements, loss of the right to vote or own a weapon, and being shunned by society. If you are accused with sexual battery, or any other sex offense, you should speak to an attorney immediately to learn more about your rights, the defenses available, and the legal system. Our criminal defense attorneys handle sex offense cases across East Tennessee including Knoxville, Johnson City, Bristol, Chattanooga, Morristown, Sevierville, Greenville, Loudon, Maryville, and Newport.

Under Tennessee law, any person who knowingly causes damage to or the destruction of any real or personal property of another or of the state, the United States, any county, city, or town knowing that the person does not have the owner's effective consent is guilty of vandalism.

"Damage" includes, but is not limited to:

• Destroying, polluting or contaminating property; or
• Tampering with property and causing pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person; and

"Polluting" is the contamination by manmade or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or radiological integrity of the atmosphere, water, or soil to the material injury of the right of another. Pollutants include dredged soil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, and industrial, municipal and agricultural waste. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39 -14-408 (2007).

The amount of damage sustained to the property determines what type of punishment one might receive under a vandalism charge in Tennessee. Generally, the types of punishment are based on the following:

• A Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property or services obtained is five hundred dollars ($500) or less;
• A Class E felony if the value of the property or services obtained is more than five hundred dollars ($500) but less than one thousand dollars ($1,000);
• A Class D felony if the value of the property or services obtained is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more but less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000);
• A Class C felony if the value of the property or services obtained is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more but less than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000); and
• A Class B felony if the value of the property or services obtained is sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) or more. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105 (2007).

If you are facing a criminal charge in Tennessee, it’s important for you to understand the long-term implications of a conviction. A Tennessee attorney can help you deal with your legal options and bring your situation to the best resolution possible for you and your family.

• Assumes a false identity;
• Pretends to be a representative of some person or organization;
• Pretends to be an officer or employee of the government; or
• Pretends to have a handicap or disability.

The important words in the criminal impersonation statute are injure and defraud. If you dress like a police officer in the spirit of Halloween, the behavior does not constitute criminal impersonation. If you dress up like a police officer in order to injure or defraud another, the behavior does constitute criminal impersonation.

Criminal impersonation under the above is a Class B misdemeanor. A Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee carries a maximum of six months imprisonment, or a maximum fine of five hundred dollars, or both. If the criminal impersonation was committed to falsely obtain a driver license or photo identification license, the maximum fine of five hundred dollars must be imposed by the court. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111.

The state may prosecute for this offense via a second definition under the criminal impersonation statute. A person commits criminal impersonation who pretends to be a law enforcement officer for the purpose of:

• Engaging in an activity that is ordinarily and customarily an activity established by law as a law enforcement activity; and
• Causing another to believe that the person is a law enforcement officer. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111.

This form of criminal impersonation is more serious in terms of criminal culpability. Criminal impersonation here is a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a maximum of eleven months, twenty-nine days imprisonment or a fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars, or both. If you have been charged with criminal impersonation in Tennessee, contact a criminal defense lawyer. A criminal defense lawyer will explain your rights and discuss the procedural avenues applicable to your case.

A clean driving record is important and you will accrue points on it based upon the offense committed. Points can be added for moving traffic violations, speeding, and accidents. Some offenses are more serious and your license can be suspended or revoked if you commit one of the more serious offenses. Under Tennessee law, a regular driver license may be revoked or suspended for the following:

• DUI including implied consent
• allowing unlawful use of a driver license, including fraudulently altering a driver license or allowing another individual to use your license or identification
• mental or physical disabilities
• leaving the scene of a personal injury or fatal crash; failure to stop and render aid in an automobile crash
• perjury, or giving false information on the use or ownership of an automobile, or for the issuance of a driver license
• a felony that involves the use of an automobile
• evading arrest while operating a motor vehicle
• manslaughter/vehicular homicide involving the operation of an automobile
• two reckless driving violations within twelve months
• drag racing
• habitual offenders of moving traffic violations
• unsatisfied judgment resulting from the negligent operation of a motor vehicle
• purchasing or possessing any alcoholic beverage if 18-20 years old
• failure to comply with child support requirements
• driving a motor vehicle away from a gas station without paying for dispensed gas or diesel fuel
• failure to show evidence of financial responsibility to officer when involved in an accident or charged with a moving violation
• possession of a driver of five (5) or more grams of methamphetamine

If you are under 18 years old, you can lose your license for the following:

• convictions of any drug or alcohol offense, whether or not the offense occurred while driving
• dropping out of school (defined as having ten consecutive of fifteen total days in a semester of unexcused absences)
• failure to make satisfactory progress in school (which in general means passing three subjects per grading period)
• weapons violations

It is important to realize that commercial motor vehicle operators have separate rules and regulations regarding their commercial drivers licenses (CDL’S). These separate rules and regulations govern how CDL might be revoked or suspended. If you are cited with a moving violation or speeding in the East Tennessee area, contact a Tennessee traffic citation lawyer. Our traffic citation lawyers handle speeding tickets and other moving violations in Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Newport, Sevierville, Jefferson County, Maryville, Johnson City, Greenville, Bristol, Morristown, Kingsport, and Chattanooga.

If you have questions about the sentence you face including whether the mandatory jail time provisions apply to you, contact a Tennessee DUI lawyer. You may think that there's no way to successfully challenge a DUI charge, but Knoxville DUI lawyers know that many cases have weaknesses. These weaknesses often open doors to dismissals or acquittals. Any crack in the state’s case could create an opportunity for a Tennessee DUI lawyer to negotiate for reduced charges or a favorable plea bargain.

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn about your rights under Tennessee law before you take a step in any direction. Contact a Tennessee DUI attorney if you have been charged with DUI in East Tennessee. Our DUI attorneys handle DUI cases in Knoxville, Loudon, Maryville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Newport, Johnson City, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Bristol.

• Remove the child from this state knowing that the removal violates a child custody determination, the rightful custody of a mother, or a temporary or permanent judgment or court order regarding the custody or care of the child;
• Detain the child within this state or remove the child from this state after the expiration of the noncustodial natural or adoptive parent or guardian's lawful period of visitation, with the intent to violate the rightful custody of a mother, or a temporary or permanent judgment or a court order regarding the custody or care of the child;
• Harbor or hide the child within or outside this state, knowing that possession of the child was unlawfully obtained by another person in violation of the rightful custody of a mother, or a temporary or permanent judgment or a court order; or
• Act as an accessory to anything listed above. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-306 (2007).

It is also the offense of custodial interference for a natural or adoptive parent, step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of an incompetent person to:

• Remove the incompetent person from this state knowing that the removal violates a temporary or permanent judgment or a court order regarding the custody or care of the incompetent person;
• Harbor or hide the incompetent person within or outside this state, knowing that possession of the incompetent person was unlawfully obtained by another person in violation of a temporary or permanent judgment or a court order; or
• Act as an accessory to anything listed above. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-306 (2007).

It is a defense to custodial interference that the person who removed the child or incompetent person reasonably believed that the failure to remove the child or incompetent person would have resulted in a clear and present danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the child or incompetent person. It is also a defense to custodial interference that the individual detained or moved in contravention of the rightful custody of a mother, or of the order of custody or care, was returned by the defendant voluntarily and before arrest or the issuance of a warrant for arrest.

Custodial interference is a Class E felony, unless the person taken from lawful custody is returned voluntarily by the defendant, in which case custodial interference is a Class A misdemeanor. If you have been charged with custodial interference in Tennessee, contact a criminal defense attorney. Our lawyers handle these cases in Knoxville, Newport, Sevierville, Johnson City, Morristown, Maryville, Loudon, and Kingsport.

If you are convicted of a traffic offense, points may also be applied to your license. If enough points accrue, your license could be suspended. Transportation in today’s society seems to be a necessity, instead of a privilege. It is important to have a license for work, grocery shopping, and almost every basic activity, especially in rural areas. In addition, a speeding ticket can be devastating if you have a commercial license. Companies are increasingly letting go drivers who speed and receive traffic tickets.

An experienced Tennessee Traffic Attorney can help Tennessee drivers reach the best resolution for their speeding ticket or other traffic violation. Before you simply pay the traffic ticket through the mail, consider the consequences associated with simply paying the ticket.

People can be charged with homicide for an intentional killing, such as murder, manslaughter arising out of reckless conduct, or for a death that resulted from a negligent act. If you are charged with homicide in the state of Tennessee, you could face life in prison or even the death penalty. With so much depending on the outcome of your case, it is imperative that you have an attorney experienced in handling Tennessee murder and manslaughter cases.

Many people who are convicted of murder or homicide are convicted because of a confession. Unfortunately, these individuals do not ask for an attorney during the investigation. Sometimes, the accused is persuaded by the police that he or she does not need a lawyer, and are ultimately coerced into the confession. Our manslaughter and homicide defense lawyers work diligently to represent the client, including:

• analyzing the police techniques
• investigating the confession

Tennessee homicide attorneys work to ascertain if the confession was a true confession or if the confession was indeed coerced. Tennessee homicide lawyers are experienced knowing how to detect signs of unconstitutional police misuse or abuse. Additionally, we have the resources available to psychologically analyze the confession for coercion and can have experts brought in to analyze and determine the true cause of death.

Our Tennessee murder and manslaughter defense attorneys represent clients throughout Tennessee, including Knox County, Sevier County, Cocke County, Blount County, and the cities of Bristol, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Nashville.

If the authorities have reasonable grounds for a charge of assault or domestic assault, you can be arrested immediately. These cases are rarely dismissed. The case often moves forward even if the victim doesn't testify or refuses to press charges. It is critical to have a qualified and aggressive defense by an experienced criminal law attorney.

Tennessee criminal defense attorneys have defended against all types of assault and domestic violence situations: husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, father/son roommate/roommate or mother/daughter. In addition to assault and domestic assault charges, we challenge the issuance of restraining orders and orders of protection. Protect your rights. Contact a Tennessee assault attorney if you have been charged with assault or domestic assault in the East Tennessee area. We offer a free initial consultation.

Tennessee traffic lawyers frequently represent out-of-state residents who have been cited for traffic violations on I-40 or I-75. It can be burdensome to travel back to Tennessee to appear in court or to obtain counsel. In most cases, we can handle certain citations without the need for your appearance.

Tennessee traffic attorneys represent clients charged with DUI's, speeding tickets, reckless driving, operating without insurance and other traffic violations throughout East Tennessee. Contact our office for a free initial consultation about your particular situation. Our attorneys handle speeding tickets and other moving violations in the East Tennessee area including Knoxville, Newport, Sevierville, Morristown, Maryville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.