BONNAROO 2018: 9 Common Criminal Charges at Bonnaroo
With Bonnaroo 2018 in Manchester, Coffee County, Tennessee, just around the corner, it is important to keep in mind the heavy law enforcement presence that will be at the event and on the surrounding highways and interstate.
The following are the top eight crimes commonly charged at Bonnaroo:
- Simple Possession; Casual Exchange: (a) It is an offense for a person to knowingly possess or casually exchange a controlled substance, unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of professional practice. (b) It is an offense for a person to distribute a small amount of marijuana not in excess of one-half (½) ounce (14.175 grams). Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-17-418. (West)
- Felony Manufacture, Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – It is an offense for a defendant to knowingly manufacture, deliver, sell, or possess with the intent to manufacture, deliver or sell the controlled substance. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-417 (West).
Schedule I * Class B Felony 8-30 years max $100,000 fine
Schedule II ** Class C Felony 3-15 years max $100,000 fine
Cocaine (>.5 grams) Class B Felony 8-30 years max $100,000 fine
Schedule III Class D Felony 2-12 years max $50,000 fine
Schedule IV Class D Felony 2-12 years max $50,000 fine
Schedule V Class E Felony 1-6 years max $5,000 fine
Schedule VI – Marijuana
14.175 grams – 4535 grams Class E Felony 1-6 years max $5,000 fine
4536 grams – 31,696 grams Class D Felony 2-12 years max $50,000 fine
31,697 grams – 136,050 grams Class B Felony 8-30 years max $100,000 fine
136,051 grams or more Class A Felony 15-60 years max $500,000 fine
* Some Sch. I drugs can become Class A Felonies subject to 15-60 years, max $500,000 fine
** Some Sch. II drugs can become Class B Felonies subject to 8-30 years, max $200,000 fine
- Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance – Intent to Manufacture, Deliver or Sell: Although not caught manufacturing, delivering or selling a controlled substance, it may be inferred from the amount of a controlled substance or substances possessed by an offender, along with other relevant facts surrounding the arrest, that the controlled substance or substances were possessed with the purpose of selling or otherwise dispensing. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-419 (West)
- Public Intoxication: (a) A person commits the offense of public intoxication who appears in a public place under the influence of a controlled substance, controlled substance analogue or any other intoxicating substance to the degree that: (1) The offender may be endangered; (2) There is endangerment to other persons or property; or (3) The offender unreasonably annoys people in the vicinity. Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-17-310 (West).
- Drug Paraphernalia: [I]t is unlawful for any person to use, or to possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue in violation of this part. § 39-17-425 (West).
- Assault: A person commits assault who: (1) Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; (2) Intentionally or knowingly causes another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or (3) Intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another and a reasonable person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative. § 39-13-101 (West).
- Counterfeit controlled substances: It is an offense for a person to: Sell; Deliver; or Distribute a substance that is represented to be a controlled substance and which is substantially similar in color, shape, size, and markings or lack thereof, to a Schedule I, II, III or IV controlled substance as classified in §§ 39-17-406 — 39-17-412, in order that the substance may be sold as a controlled substance. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-423 (West)
- False Identification: (a) A person commits the offense of using a false identification who, for the purpose of obtaining goods, services or privileges to which the person is not otherwise entitled or eligible, uses a false identification. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-303 (West).
- Disorderly Conduct: A person commits an offense who, in a public place and with intent to cause public annoyance or alarm: (1) Engages in fighting or in violent or threatening behavior; (2) Refuses to obey an official order to disperse issued to maintain public safety in dangerous proximity to a fire, hazard or other emergency; or (3) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act that serves no legitimate purpose. (b) A person also violates this section who makes unreasonable noise that prevents others from carrying on lawful activities. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-305 (West).
Know your rights! If you are cited or arrested and charged with one of these 9 criminal offenses, you have the right to an attorney. Please contact an experienced lawyer to represent you who knows the laws and understands these types of crimes. Having an experienced and knowledgeable attorney could save you money, stress and possibly be the difference in being a felon or not. Don’t fight these serious charges on your own.
Joseph Fuson, Esq.