The Crime

Unlawful Carrying or Possession of Weapons can be classified as a felony offense and can seriously damage your record and your reputation. If you have been charged with Unlawful Carrying or Possession of Weapons, you should seek help from the Knoxville criminal defense attorneys at the Oberman & Rice Law Firm.

With few exceptions, a person in Tennessee may be convicted of the crime of Carrying or Possession of Weapons if the prosecution proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the person carried any of the following weapons with intent to go armed:

1. A firearm (handgun, rifle, shotgun, etc.); or
2. A club.

Defenses may be available to a person charged with Carrying or Possession of Weapons. For instance, an experienced Tennessee Lawyer may defend a person charged with carrying a hand gun by proving that the person was authorized to do so. The crime of Carrying or Possession of Weapons, however, should not be confused with the crime of Possessing Prohibited Weapons—the general public may not possess Prohibited Weapons at any time or in any place.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307]

The Penalties

Under Tennessee law, the type and classification of the offense of Unlawful Carrying or Possession of Weapons depend on factors such as the type of weapon involved and the person’s prior criminal history. The amount of the fine (up to $10,000), the length of the prison sentence (up to 15 years), and the court costs will vary depending on the class of Felony or Misdemeanor with which a person is charged and convicted.

The crime of Unlawful Carrying or Possession of Weapons includes additional factors and elements not discussed on this page. If you have been charged with this crime, you should contact the Knoxville criminal defense attorneys at the Oberman & Rice Law Firm.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1307]

Other Consequences of an Unlawful Carrying or Possession of Weapons Conviction

In addition to the court-mandated penalties described above, a person convicted of Carrying or Possession of Weapons may also experience serious collateral (other) consequences. A Carrying or Possession of Weapons conviction may result in the loss of college scholarships or the ability to seek admission to a higher learning institution. A conviction may also impact one’s ability to maintain or seek employment and may result in negative action to a professional license (e.g., nursing).

Except in rare circumstances, a conviction for Carrying or Possession of Weapons will ALWAYS stay on a person’s public record (criminal history). This means that current and future employers may access records of Tennessee criminal convictions. For more information about Tennessee expungement law, you may wish to review the information contained on our sister website, http://www.eraseyourrecord.com/index.html.

Why Hire An Attorney Immediately?

It is important to act quickly in order to gather and preserve favorable evidence. Key evidence (faces, dates, events, and conversations) fades from memory over time. Certain witnesses need to be interviewed as soon as possible. Also, video recordings and other evidence may be destroyed. Therefore, it is critical to begin an investigation as soon as possible to ensure valuable evidence is not lost. Success or failure in any criminal case may be determined in the decisions of the defendant and his or her Tennessee Criminal Attorney in only a few hours or days after an arrest is made.

Contact Us Today

If you or someone you know has recently been arrested, contact the Oberman & Rice Law Firm today so that we can begin preparing a defense for your case. Submit your information for a free case evaluation from our Knoxville criminal defense attorneys or call our office at 865-249-7200.