Drug Possession Case Results in Nashville, TN

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange of Marijuana

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 1B

Allegations

During a traffic stop for a seat belt violation, officers reported smelling marijuana and the client disclosed a small amount stored in the rear of the vehicle. The search recovered personal use cannabis only, with no scales, cash, or weapons, and the client had no prior record. We entered the case quickly, coordinated booking, reviewed the reports, and documented the cooperation and limited quantity. At our direction the client completed an online marijuana education course, and we presented the certificate in negotiations. The prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

A nighttime equipment stop led officers to ask for a vehicle search, which the client declined; a K-9 was brought in and a small amount of a controlled substance was found. We scrutinized the length of the detention and the basis for the dog deployment, highlighting weaknesses in the search. At the same time, we built mitigation with clean drug screens and proof of completion of a drug education course. We presented the issues and mitigation to the state and pressed for a noncustodial outcome. The case was resolved as probation, keeping the client out of jail and limiting the impact of the charge.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

After a traffic stop for an equipment issue, officers asked to search the vehicle. The driver declined, a K-9 was called and, after a delay, alerted, leading to discovery of a few unprescribed pills and a trace amount of powder. We reviewed the reports and video to question the length of the detention and the basis for the canine deployment, and underscored the minimal quantity involved. The client began weekly drug testing and completed a drug education course, which we used in mitigation. The case was resolved to straight probation with no jail time.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Davidson County, Birch Bldg, Court Room 1B

Allegations

After a traffic stop for a seat belt issue, officers reported the odor of marijuana and found a small personal stash in the rear of the vehicle along with a tray and grinder, which led to a paraphernalia charge. The client was cooperative and there were no scales, baggies, weapons, or other signs of distribution. We obtained the reports, guided the client through booking, and had them complete a marijuana education course in advance. We presented those mitigating facts and pressed the state to treat the case as personal use. The prosecutor dismissed the paraphernalia charge, and we initiated expungement.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

After a traffic stop, officers extended the encounter for a K-9 sniff and searched the vehicle, reporting plastic vials with small spoons, baggies, and a scale. We scrutinized the justification for prolonging the stop and the dog deployment, and emphasized that the items were new and showed no drug residue. We pushed back against any claim that the materials suggested distribution, narrowing the focus to simple paraphernalia. Using those points in negotiation, we secured straight probation on the paraphernalia charge with no jail time.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

A routine traffic stop for a registration issue led to a vehicle search after consent was given. Officers found a dugout and a vape, and charged our client with unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. We examined the basis for the stop, the voluntariness and scope of the search, and pressed the state on proving what was actually in the devices. We also documented the client's clean record and cooperation. After negotiations, the state agreed to a plea to straight probation, avoiding jail and keeping penalties limited.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

Stopped for an expired registration, the client consented to a vehicle search. Officers found a small amount of plant material and a THCA vape, then issued a citation with instructions to self book. We stepped in early, coordinated processing, and pulled discovery to question whether the substances were truly illegal and how they were tested. Using the client’s clean history and those evidentiary issues, we pressed for a noncustodial outcome. The state agreed to straight probation, avoiding jail and limiting collateral consequences.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange of Marijuana

Location

Sumner County, Judge C. Ron Blanton

Allegations

Stopped for speeding, our client was told the car smelled like marijuana and consented to a search. An officer found a small dispensary-labeled jar in a backpack and issued a citation for simple possession. The client disclosed the contents could be a mix of THCA and marijuana, so we obtained the reports and kept negotiations away from lab testing that could harden the state’s stance. We secured an under-advisement plan requiring a brief online class and no new offenses. Once our client complied and we provided proof, the case was dismissed.

Charge

Possession of a Legend Drug (Class A Misdemeanor)

Location

Davidson County

Allegations

During a security checkpoint, officers found several prescription pills stored together in a single unlabeled bottle and charged our client with legend drug possession. We moved quickly to collect pharmacy records and physician documentation verifying every medication was lawfully prescribed. Our team reviewed the reports and video to pinpoint exactly what was seized and to challenge any suggestion of unlawful possession. After we presented the proof and pressed the gaps in the state's case, the prosecutor dismissed the legend drug charge.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange of Marijuana

Location

Davidson County

Allegations

During airport screening, a secondary bag check turned up a vape cartridge the officer called marijuana, and our client was cited for possession or casual exchange. The client explained it was a store-bought, hemp-derived product, not illegal marijuana. We demanded the body camera and screening footage, scrutinized how the item was discovered, and highlighted the absence of any lab testing to prove THC content. We made clear we were ready to litigate those proof issues. The state agreed to dismiss upon payment of standard court costs, and the case was dismissed.

Charge

Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Rutherford County, Judge Ben Bennett

Allegations

The client was approached in a parked vehicle during a welfare check in a private lot. Additional officers arrived, claimed to smell alcohol or marijuana, ordered the client out, and searched the car. They reported finding a small item they labeled as drug paraphernalia. We pulled the bodycam and reports, pinpointing the absence of clear consent and the thin basis for expanding a welfare check into a search. After we pressed those suppression issues and signaled we were prepared to litigate, the state dismissed the paraphernalia charge.

Charge

Possession or Casual Exchange

Location

Sumner County, Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick

Allegations

Police stopped the client for equipment and registration issues and, after a consent search, claimed a rolled dollar bill held cocaine residue. The state filed a simple possession charge under the casual exchange statute. We obtained discovery and demanded lab proof of the substance and a quantifiable amount. We also scrutinized the basis for the stop, the scope of the search, and the length of the detention. Confronted with these evidentiary problems and our intent to litigate them, the prosecution dismissed the case.