GEORGIA DRUG OFFENSES
athens Drug Crime Defense Lawyer
Our athens Georgia lawyers handle the following offenses:
| Drug Possession Marijuana crimes Methamphetamine crimes Drug Manufacturing |
Drug trafficking Conspiracy to traffic Cocaine crimes LSD crimes |
Drug
use Possession with Intent Drug distribution Heroin crimes |
Drug laws in Georgia
Georgia has tough drug laws which require minimum sentencing on conviction. Drug trafficking is a serious offence in Georgia had has penalties that can exceed the sentences in violent crimes, even certain homicide cases. If the quantity of drugs found on your exceed a certain quantity, your case will be taken over by the federal government. Contact an experienced Georgia drug defense attorney if you have been charged under the drug laws in Georgia.
Drug possession
You will be charged with drug possession if a police officer finds that you have illegal drugs. You need not be actually holding the drugs in your hand. You are considered to be the owner of drugs found in your pockets or clothing, car or home, or any place over which you have control. If an officer finds drugs in your briefcase or purse, you would be considered in possession of those drugs. You can also be charged with drug possession if police find the materials to make a drug or the equipment to use it.
Penalty for Drug Possession
Many factors including your prior criminal record and your willingness to enroll in a drug treatment program will affect your sentence. If you are convicted of a charge of possession with intent to distribute can result in a prison term. If you have been charged with drug possession, contact an experienced Georgia drug defense attorney.
Intent to distribute
You will be charged with intent to distribute if the police office finds you with a certain amount of drugs or catches you trying to sell drugs or if an officer finds you with a scale, or even wads of money in certain circumstances. It is a more serious charge than simple drug possession. The amount of drugs required for this charge depends on the drug involved. If you are caught trying to sell drugs to children, the penalties are more severe.
Distribution
You will be charged with drug distribution if you are caught selling, making or transporting drugs. If you are caught distributing drugs to children or near a school, you will face harsher penalties. The sentence will depend on the type and amount of drug involved. You must register as a drug distributor if convicted. This will make it difficult for you to get a job.
Drug schedule
Drugs are assigned different schedules based on various factors like their dangerousness and addictive ability and separate drugs with medical uses from drugs that are considered strictly recreational.
Schedule |
Nature |
Examples |
Penalty for possession |
Schedule 1 |
No medicinal use. Considered recreational only. |
|
Between two and 30 years in prison, or more, depending on the amount and prior convictions. |
Schedule 2 |
Some medical use, but also have a high potential for abuse. |
|
Between two and 30 years in prison, or more, depending on the amount and prior convictions. |
Schedule 3 |
Drugs with a medical use and a lower potential for abuse than Schedule One and Two drugs. |
|
Between one and 10 years in prison, depending on the amount and prior record. |
Schedule 4 |
Drugs that have a medical use and a lower potential for abuse than Schedule Three drugs. |
|
Between one and 10 years in prison, depending on the amount and prior record. |
Schedule 5 |
Drugs that have a medical use and a lower potential for abuse than Schedule Four drugs. |
|
Between one and 10 years in prison, depending on the amount and prior record. |
Deferred adjudication
Georgia has a special program for first time drug offenders. This program helps them get their life back on track and avoid a conviction on this record. The offenders must go through probation and complete a drug rehabilitation program. During the probation and rehabilitation, the adjudication is differed and if the requirements are successfully complied, the charges are dismissed. Failure to comply with the requirements will result in conviction.
Facing drug charges? Contact an experienced Athens Georgia attorney now.
Our drug defense attorneys defend cases in Athens, GA, Athens-Clarke County, Watkinsville, Carnesville, Elberton, Homer, Jefferson, Danielsville, Lexington, Hartwell, Winder, and Clarke County, Oconee County, Elbert County, Franklin County, Banks County, Jackson County, Madison County, Hart County, Barrow County and Oglethorpe County, and Ben Epps Airport, University of Georgia (UGA), Piedmont Judicial Circuit, and the Northern Judicial Circuit. We can help you fight your drug charges. Call our law firm at (phone).
