If you are reading this page, there is a decent chance you (or your son or daughter) have received a drug citation as a result of attending Bonnaroo, or traveling through one of our well patrolled Tennessee counties en route to Bonnaroo. Most Bonnaroo charges are misdemeanors and are initiated with a citation while a few will actually be arrested if facing more serious charges. Arrests take longer and result in that officer or trooper being unable to patrol for an extended period of time while making the arrest. If you were arrested, it likely means you were charged with a felony. Only with misdemeanor charges may an officer issue a citation. However, some misdemeanor charges could have been charged as felonies if the officer had elected to do so, and potentially still can be prosecuted as a felony if the district attorney’s (prosecutor’s) office decides it should be prosecuted as a felony.

Routinely at the Bonnaroo festival in Coffee County, for even felony amounts of drugs, people will receive a drug possession citation. The district attorney’s office later will review the case and decide whether to prosecute the case as a felony.

The County in Tennessee where you were charged can entirely dictate how easily your case will be resolved. Each county handles cases differently.

Click on the county where you were charged for more information:

  • Coffee County (at the festival) (Manchester, TN)
  • Rutherford County (you almost made it)(Murfreesboro, TN)
  • Putnam County (Cookeville, TN) (Interstate 40)
  • Sumner County (Gallatin, TN) (Interstate 65)
  • Montgomery County (Clarksville, TN) (Interstate 24)
  • Loudon County (Interstate 75)
  • White County (Sparta, TN) (TN Highway 111)
  • Cumberland County (Crossville, TN) (Interstate 40)

We have also had clients charged in Marion, Franklin, Giles and Van Buren counties in Tennessee on their way to Bonnaroo.

Common Bonnaroo Related Charges

Without question and unsurprisingly, the most commonly charged offense at Bonnaroo is simple possession. (Marijuana, MDMA/Molly/Exstasy, Mushrooms, Acid/LSD are all very common at Bonnaroo)

–       Simple Possession

Simple possession of any drug in Tennessee is a Class A Misdemeanor. It is punishable by up to 11 months, 29 days in jail, fines, and court costs. If you have two or more prior convictions, simple possession may be charged as a felony in Tennessee. The schedule, or type, of drug affects the monetary fine however does not enhance the classification of the offense in any other way.

–       Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

The possession of drug paraphernalia is a very broadly worded TN law which is often liberally construed. We have had clients charged with paraphernalia when marijuana was contained in a plastic baggie. Indeed, the officer tried unsuccessfully to argue the plastic baggie was drug paraphernalia. (Drug paraphernalia in Tennessee is a Class A Misdemeanor with a Maximum Sentence of 11 months, 29 days in jail, fines and court costs)

–       Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver or Sell 

Possession with the intent to manufacture, deliver or sell is often charged in Tennessee when the amount of the drug exceeds certain pre-determined amounts, regardless of whether evidence of intent to resell or distribute is present. Possession of marijuana over 1/2 ounce is often charged as a felony, even if clearly a simple possession situation. (Felony – Classification dependent upon the type of drug and amount)

–       Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct has a very specific definition however because the name of the offense seems to imply not obeying orders, officer’s sometimes use the charge as a way of punishing someone for not following their orders, regardless of whether the persons’ conduct meets the definition of disorderly conduct.

Unfortunately, for most situations, those who have received a drug possession charge will be required to come back to Tennessee to resolve the charge. If you would like to keep the charge off your record, it will require multiple court appearances unless you hire an attorney.

Call our Tennessee lawyers at 931-303-0421, or send me an email directly at [email protected] and we will be glad to discuss your situation. We do not charge to consult with you and hopefully can put your mind at ease while you enjoy Bonnaroo.