Being accused of any type of drug crime in Georgia is a very serious matter. Depending on the type of drug, quantity, and other factors in your case, Atlanta drug charges carry harsh penalties. Our Atlanta drug crimes defense lawyer shares how to fight your charges and avoid a potentially lengthy jail sentence.
Drug Charges in Atlanta Can Result in a Lengthy Jail Sentence
Under Section 16-13-30 of the Georgia Penal Code, possessing, manufacturing, or trafficking controlled substances or marijuana is a criminal offense. This applies to illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as pharmaceuticals obtained without a valid prescription. Factors that influence the severity of charges you face include:
- Whether you acted alone or as part of an organized drug ring;
- The type and amount of drugs involved;
- The circumstances surrounding your charges and apprehension;
- Whether this is your first offense.
Even if you are charged with a relatively minor misdemeanor offense, you could be facing up to a year in county jail. More serious criminal drug charges could result in being sentenced to decades in a state or federal prison. To protect yourself, you need an experienced Atlanta drug crimes defense lawyer to build a strong legal defense.
Building a Strong Legal Defense Against Atlanta Drug Charges
If you are facing drug charges through the Fulton County Civil Court or in other jurisdictions, it is important to be aware of the severity of the situation. Get someone with a thorough knowledge of the law and experience in these types of cases to build you a strong legal defense. The following are some of the legal actions we can take to fight a conviction:
- Disputing the circumstances surrounding your arrest: If the police conducted a search without a valid warrant, failed to read your Miranda rights, held you without cause, or otherwise failed to follow required procedures in making the arrest, it could justify dropping all your charges.
- Disputing the evidence against you: In addition to disputing whether the evidence against you proves your guilt, we can also dispute whether it was legally obtained, whether the proper chain of custody was followed in handling it, and whether it is admissible in court.
- Challenging whether you were in possession: Simply being in the vicinity of drug activity is not enough to prove you were engaged in it or otherwise breaking the law. To obtain a drug crime conviction and a potential jail sentence, the prosecution must prove that you either were in actual possession of the drugs or otherwise had control over the situation.
Contact Our Atlanta Drug Crime Defense Lawyers Today
When facing any type of drug charges in Atlanta, you need a strong legal defense to protect yourself against the penalties associated with a conviction, which include jail time. At Ghanayem & Rayasam, we provide the fierce, trusted legal representation you need in this situation. Contact our Atlanta drug crime lawyers and request a consultation today.