Drug Free School Zone Laws and how they Affect the TSU Student

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - There are laws in the state of Tennessee that can land you in jail for a very long time, one in particular is the “Tennessee Drug Free School Zone Act”.

The School Zone Act, voted on in 1995, enhances the sentences of drug offenses upon

Conviction, punishing the offender a classification higher than is provided in § 39-17-

417(b)-(i) (a crime in Tennessee for a person to knowingly manufacture a controlled

Substance; deliver a controlled substance; sell a controlled substance; or possess a

Controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell such controlled substance.

T.C.A. § 39-17-417).

You, the reader of this article may be ready to dismiss the threat of this act to your freedom altogether, because after all, on the surface, this law looks as if it only applies to the hardened, street thug, drug dealers. But in actuality, it can very well affect you.

Calvin Bryant, a former TSU student from Nashville, TN, who is currently serving a seventeen year prison term, was affected by the Tennessee School Zone Act. Bryant, a former TSU football player, had no prior convictions, no drug history whatsoever, yet, was penalized for being in violation of this law. Caught with “ecstasy pills”, Bryant was tried on five counts of possession with intent to distribute in a drug free school zone. After being tried twice on the five charges, one being a mistrial, Bryant was convicted in February of 2009, being found guilty on four of the five charges.

“It is a very unforgiving law”, Bryant’s attorney Joy Kimbrough said, when asked how she felt about the law [School Zone]. “This law can affect anyone from the biggest drug dealer to the meekest of mild pot smoker, dependent on the discretionary tactics used by the arresting officer.”

So how does this law affect the average Tennessee State University Student, you might ask?

According to the updated Tennessee Code Annotated comprised by the Tennessee Legislature, as stated earlier, the Tennessee School Zone Act is a violation of § 39-17-417, or a conspiracy to violate the section, that occurs on the grounds or facilities of any school or within one thousand feet (1,000') of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, secondary school, preschool, child care agency, or public library, recreational center or park. This can affect a lot of TSU students in many ways.

A lot of TSU students consume marijuana. If you were to ever be apprehended and found to be in possession of more than .5oz of marijuana, on TSU’s campus, you could be found in direct violation of the school zone law, which means if convicted you would face between a minimum of 2 years or a maximum of 12 years in prison (http://web.utk.edu/~scheb/overview.html) with no possibility of parole, probation or even a pardon from the governor. - James Wilson

For more information on the Tennessee School Zone Act you can visit:

http://web.utk.edu/~scheb/overview.html

http://www.tennesseecriminallawyerblog.com/2008/02/tennessee_school_zone_drug_law.html

For more information specific cases relating to the school zone, feel free to visit:

http://www.hwylaw.com

A&T Says No To Gucci Mane

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - North Carolina A&T will not be associating the univeristy's name with its annual homecoming concert this year, which is headlined by Atlanta rapper, Gucci Mane.

The university's decision comes after student's became concerned with the rapper's alleged gang affiliations and violent lyrics.

“We have agreed with the promoter to remove the name of North Carolina A&T State University from the event,” Chancellor Harold Martin revealed. “While this does not absolve us of our connection to the event, it allows us, within our limited options, to take a moral stand while we simultaneously honor our legal obligations.” (www.allhiphop.com)

Gucci Mane, who was released earlier this year from a jail stint due to a probation violation, has been the headliner for almost 50 concerts from the Spring through the summer of 2009.

The rapper has been considered the headliner for more than 10 homecoming concerts this year, while only confirmed for two, some TSU students wonder how the events that took place at A&T will affect their own University's concert.

"I love Gucci Mane", said Jasmine Moseley, sophmore, Nashville, Tenn. "What's the difference between him and Lil' Wayne, who we had 2 years ago, who's lyrics are comparable to Gucci's, and he's all over television and radio. They {North Carolina A&T} will probably regret that decision to ban him."