TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 1, 2022

The Tennessee Supreme Court today upheld mandatory minimum sentences imposed by the Hardin County Circuit Court for drug offenses that occurred in a drug-free zone near a public park, but it reversed the appeals court, which had added an additional enhancement of one classification level. Under state law, drug-free zones related to schools and public parks carry mandatory minimum periods of confinement. But with regard to the enhancement of one classification level, the court found that the legislature required that for drug-free zones at schools but not at parks. Read more about the decision from the Administrative Office of the Courts or access the opinion.