What Is KRS 218A.320?
KRS 218A.320 targets people who maintain places — homes, businesses, or other locations — used for drug activity. Often called the “drug house” or “common nuisance” statute, this law allows prosecutors to charge property owners and tenants who allow drug use or sales on their premises in Lexington, Louisville, and across Kentucky.
What the Statute Prohibits
It is unlawful to knowingly keep or maintain any place used for:
- Selling controlled substances
- Manufacturing controlled substances
- Storing controlled substances for distribution
- Using controlled substances
Penalties Under KRS 218A.320
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to 12 months in jail
- Possible felony enhancement
- Possible civil forfeiture of property
Common Scenarios
- Homeowners letting friends use drugs in their home
- Tenants of apartments where drugs are sold
- Property owners renting to known drug dealers
- Hotel/motel owners allowing repeated drug activity
The “Knowingly” Requirement
Prosecutors must prove the defendant knew about the drug activity. Mere ownership of property isn’t enough — there must be knowledge and acquiescence.
Defenses Available
- Lack of knowledge of drug activity
- Reasonable steps taken to stop the activity
- Property wasn’t actually used for drug activity
- Disputing the “common nuisance” characterization
Civil Forfeiture Risk
Beyond criminal penalties, properties used for drug activities can be subject to civil forfeiture — meaning the government can take the property even without a criminal conviction.
Clark + Harris Defends Property Owners
Call 859-474-0001 — 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I contact Clark + Harris after being charged in Kentucky?
As soon as possible. Early representation protects your rights during questioning, preserves evidence, and often leads to better outcomes. Call 859-474-0001 — we respond promptly to new inquiries.
Does Clark + Harris represent clients throughout Kentucky?
Yes. We represent clients in all 120 Kentucky counties, both state District and Circuit courts, and federal courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky.
What happens during a free consultation with Clark + Harris?
We review the specific charges and evidence, discuss available defenses, explain the likely process in the relevant court, and give you a clear roadmap of next steps — at no cost to you.
Related Resources
If this information applied to your situation, the following Clark + Harris guides may also be helpful:
- KRS 508.078: Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree
- KRS 528.050: Possession of Gambling Records
- KRS 508.080: Terroristic Threatening in the Third Degree
- KRS 516.080: Possession of Forgery Devices in Kentucky
- KRS 508.150: Stalking in the Second Degree
How Kentucky Drug Cases Actually Get Prosecuted
Kentucky prosecutors take drug cases seriously — the Commonwealth has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, and law enforcement at every level is aggressive about drug enforcement. Cases typically begin with a traffic stop, a search warrant based on informant tips, a controlled buy operation, or an arrest incident to another crime. The way evidence is obtained matters enormously: if the search that discovered the drugs was unconstitutional, the evidence may be suppressed under the exclusionary rule, potentially gutting the prosecution’s case entirely.
Key Defense Strategies in Kentucky Drug Cases
Fourth Amendment challenges: Was the search legal? Did officers have probable cause for the warrant? Was consent to search truly voluntary? Kentucky courts suppress drug evidence more often than many people realize when officers cut constitutional corners.
Constructive possession challenges: Being near drugs isn’t the same as possessing them. If drugs were found in a car with multiple passengers, a shared apartment, or a public space, the prosecution must prove you had knowledge of and control over the substance — not just proximity.
Crime lab challenges: Field test kits are notoriously unreliable. Defense attorneys can demand independent lab testing, challenge chain of custody, and question whether the substance is actually what the prosecution claims it is.
Diversion programs: Kentucky offers pretrial diversion and drug court programs that can result in charges being dismissed upon completion. First-time offenders and people struggling with addiction may qualify for treatment-focused alternatives to incarceration.
The Collateral Damage of a Drug Conviction
Beyond jail time and fines, a Kentucky drug conviction can trigger: driver’s license suspension (6 months mandatory under KRS 218A.992), loss of federal student financial aid eligibility, public housing disqualification, professional license revocation, child custody complications, immigration consequences for non-citizens, and a permanent criminal record that shows up on every background check. For many clients, these collateral consequences are more devastating than the criminal penalties themselves. Clark + Harris fights to protect not just your freedom, but your future. Flat fees. Payment plans. Call 859-474-0001.