You can face charges for possessing illegal drug paraphernalia, especially in conjunction with other charges, so it's important to understand what is considered paraphernalia. Some household items that can be possessed innocently could be considered drug paraphernalia.
For instance, very small spoons are sometimes used in connection with drugs. A lot of these are so small that the total surface size is under 10 percent of a cubic centimeter.
However, small spoons are also used in cooking. It's not illegal to own them. It's simply illegal to use them in connection with illegal drugs. This means that it's possible to face accusations of having drug paraphernalia when you never used the items for anything illegal.
Another common example is a small scale. These scales are used both to measure cooking ingredients and to measure small amounts of drugs. They may be used during the distribution process -- for example, when drugs are being sold by the ounce. These scales are far smaller and more precise than bathroom scales, which is why they're also useful when cooking.
As you can see, items that you may already own, with no ill intent, could be misinterpreted by the authorities as drug paraphernalia. This could lead to charges that you don't deserve or additional charges on top of standard drug charges.
If this happens, it's crucial for you to know what legal rights and defense options you have. Remember that everyone deserves a fair trial, especially when a mistake or assumption causes the authorities to misinterpret the evidence that has been gathered. An experienced Tennessee defense attorney can provide legal guidance.
Source: FindLaw, "Drug Paraphernalia Charges," accessed June 20, 2017