Drug Crimes in Georgia

Augusta GA Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Criminal lawyer PJ Campanaro defends the following drug offenses in GA State and Superior Court:

Drug Possession - Drug Distribution - Drug Trafficking

Drug Crime Overview

People who are accused of drug crimes in the state of Georgia can find themselves facing some serious consequences, and these penalties vary depending on the substance in question, the quantity, and whether it is a matter of simple possession or a charge of selling or trafficking drugs. The severity of the penalty is derived from the Georgia method of drug scheduling, which is intended to categorize illegal substances based on the perceived harm that they cause.

Drugs like Heroin, ecstasy (MDMA), and LSD are considered Schedule I drugs, while cocaine and methamphetamine are categorized as Schedule II drugs. Other controlled substances that have less potential for addiction and abuse, and that do have a recognized clinical use, fall under Schedules III, IV, and V and the penalties are less severe for possession or sale of these drugs.

Marijuana is also an illegal substance in the state of Georgia, and though the penalties for violation of marijuana laws are less severe than they are for harder drugs, they are still formidable. A first offense for simple marijuana possession of less than an ounce is a misdemeanor in the state, and after successfully serving a period of time on probation the charge can be dismissed. People who are charged with possessing more than an ounce, and those who are accused of selling or trafficking marijuana, face much harsher penalties. Possession of more than an ounce of marijuana is felony that can result in between one and ten years of incarceration. A conviction for the sale of between ten and 2,000 pounds of marijuana carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in jail and a fine of $100,000.

Anyone who is being charged with a drug crime should immediately retain the services of a Georgia criminal lawyer who specializes in defending those have been accused of selling or possessing illegal substances. There are many issues surrounding drug cases that can be examined and used to defend the accused, such as probable cause and proper search authorization. In many instances the charges can be reduced, or sometimes dropped altogether. Georgia drug lawyers handle these types of cases every day, and they have the knowledge and expertise that it takes to facilitate the best possible outcome given the specific details of the case.

Accused of a drug crime in Augusta, Evans, Richmond County or Columbia County GA? Then call, PJ Campanaro, a hard hitting criminal defense lawyer today.