Getting accused of a drug crime can be very frightening. Especially in a conservative state like Georgia. You will need an Atlanta drug crime lawyer to represent you. Bixon Law is a firm dedicated to drug crimes. Our attorneys will work hard to get your drug charges dropped or reduced.
If you are convicted of an Atlanta drug crime, you may face years in jail, high fees, and expensive rehabilitation classes. The type of punishment you face will depend upon the particular drug crime with which you are charged, prior offenses, and the type of drugs you are accused of having.
Drugs in Georgia are categorized into different schedules. The penalties for a drug conviction generally correspond to the schedule of the drug you are convicted of having fallen into.
Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous drugs. They include:
- THC
- Codeine
- Heroin
- Acid
- PCP
- Ecstasy
- Mushrooms
- Morphine
Schedule II drugs are considered to be dangerous and addictive, but they are also thought to have some legitimate use. They include:
- Amphetamine
- Opium
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Ketamine
Schedule III drugs are normal substances that can be legitimately prescribed but are often abused. They include depressants and steroids.
Schedule 4 drugs are prescription drugs such as Ambien and Valium that have a high potential for abuse. Call an Atlanta drug lawyer early, If you are charged with any kind of drug crime.
Types of Drug Crimes
There are several different types of drug crimes with which a person can be charged. No matter which type of drug crime you are accused of, you should contact Bixon Law for a consultation.
Possession
Possession of drugs is considered to take place when you are caught with a small amount of a controlled substance that is assumed to be for your personal use. A controlled substance would be any illegal drug or a prescription drug that has not been prescribed to you.
Possession of drugs may be considered a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.
Marijuana Possession
Although marijuana may be legal in many states and decriminalized in others, the state of Georgia still regards marijuana possession as a serious crime. The federal government still considers it a schedule I drug. If you are caught with less than an ounce of marijuana, it is considered a misdemeanor. Depending on how many offenses you have had, you can be fined up to $1000 for possession. You can also be sentenced to a year in jail. Possession of over an ounce of marijuana is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Possession of Drug-Related Objects
A drug-related object is any kind of paraphernalia used for ingesting drugs or manufacturing a controlled substance. If you are caught with a drug-related object but no actual drugs in the state of Georgia, you will be charged with a misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for the second offense.
Drug-related objects include:
- Rolling paper
- Pipes
- bongs
- Scales
- Needles
If you are convicted of felony possession of a drug-related object, you can go to jail for as long as 5 years. Our law firm is well-versed in arguing against these types of charges. We can have such charges thrown out or greatly reduced.
Possession with Intent to Distribute
If a law enforcement officer thinks that you intend to sell the drugs you are caught with, you may be charged with possession with intent to distribute. If you are charged with this crime, the prosecution will have to prove that you knew the drugs were illegal and that you intended to sell them.
Drug Sales
If you are caught with a large amount of drugs, or if you attempt to sell drugs to an undercover officer, you are likely to be charged with drug sales. You may be incarcerated from 1 to 30 years for sales of any schedule I or II drugs.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking refers to the possession, sale, manufacturing, distribution, or delivery of a controlled substance in a large amount. Trafficking charges are extremely serious. If you are convicted of trafficking schedule III, IV, or V drugs you may go to prison for as long as 10 years.
If you are convicted of trafficking schedule I or II drugs, you may be imprisoned for anywhere from 5 to 30 years. A second offense can land you behind bars for as long as 40 years.
If you are caught taking drugs across state lines, you may face federal drug charges.
Typical Defenses
We can often have a case dismissed if there was an illegal search or if there were any unreasonable searches. The Fourth Amendment is an important tool in our work. The prosecution may be unable to prove the drugs were yours or that you had any intention to sell them.
Every New Client Gets a Free Initial Consultation
When you hire attorney Michael Bixon to defend you, he will fight hard to get the charges against you dropped or reduced. He is an experienced Atlanta criminal defense lawyer with a proven track record. He respects the attorney-client relationship and will protect your confidential or sensitive information.
If you live in the Fulton County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County or Dekalb County area and you are facing a drug charge, or you are charged with drug-related crimes, give us a call today for a free consultation. You can also fill out our online form with a valid phone number. Our contact form sends information directly to us. Our legal team fully researches every case we take.