Conoscienti & Ledbetter: Decatur GA Drug Crimes Lawyers

Georgia’s drug laws prohibit the unlawful use or handling of controlled substances in the state. Anyone suspected of being involved in those prohibited acts may be arrested by the police and charged with drug crimes.

Dealing with drug charges in Decatur, Georgia, could be overwhelming because the stakes are high. If convicted, you could spend a lot of time in prison. A conviction also leaves you with a criminal record that could affect your ability to turn your life around even after you have served your sentence. Hence, you must make every effort to defend yourself and avoid a conviction.

Defending a drug crime charge in the Decatur area of Georgia could be challenging because the state has different types of drug crimes, each with different elements. A defense strategy that succeeds with one may fail with another. As such, you may need help from experienced criminal defense attorneys if you hope to improve your chances before the judge.

Our competent Decatur drug crimes attorneys at Conoscienti & Ledbetter understand the elements and fine points of defending Georgia drug crimes. This understanding results from many years of experience representing clients facing drug charges across the state. We are fully prepared to take on your case, fight for your rights, and work with you toward a positive outcome.

The drug crimes in Georgia include the following:

Drug Possession

Having a controlled substance in your possession is a crime unless for those gotten with a valid prescription. Possession here could be constructive (when the drugs are found in an area you control but not on your person) or actual (the drugs are found on your person).

Drug Possession With Intent To Distribute

This drug charge may arise when the amount of drugs found on a person or in their custody is large enough to distribute or sell to other people.

Drug Manufacturing/ Cultivation

Drug manufacturing involves the processing, compounding, producing, and preparation of illegal drugs or controlled substances. Anyone involved in drug manufacturing and cultivation operations, such as running meth or ecstasy labs and grow houses, may face drug manufacturing or cultivation charges.

Sale of Controlled Substances

Selling controlled substances for money is a felony offense unless you have a valid license (where applicable).

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Decatur, Georgia, drivers found with the slightest quantity of drugs in their system while on the road may be charged with a DUI. The fact that a medical practitioner prescribed the drug is irrelevant and cannot be used as a defense if the drug is shown to impair your driving.

The punishment for drug crimes includes imprisonment and payment of fines. The exact term or amount of fines may vary depending on several factors, including:

• The nature of the crime
• The weight of the drugs found
• The schedule of controlled substances the discovered drugs belong to
• Whether the defendant is a first, second, or subsequent offender
• The location where the crime occurred.

Some offenses may also attract additional penalties. For instance, a DUI conviction may lead to a driver’s license suspension.

Regardless of the specifics, a drug crime conviction is a big deal. Most of the above crimes are classified as felonies. Felonies attract a jail time of at least a year. Spending that much time in jail could forever alter the course of your life.

Secure your future by getting skilled felony drug crime attorneys to represent you throughout your case. Your chances of avoiding a conviction are better with one by your side.

How Do You Beat a Drug Charge in Georgia?

Being charged with a drug crime in Decatur, Georgia, does not necessarily mean that you will be convicted. The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you committed the alleged offense.

That said, there are several ways to defend yourself against a drug charge in Georgia. Here are three of the most common:

1. Challenging the legality of the search or seizure

Under the Fourth Amendment, you have a right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement officers violate this right while obtaining evidence against you, it may be excluded from the case.

2. Claiming lack of knowledge or possession

In some cases, individuals charged with drug crimes may not have been aware that they were in possession of controlled substances. For instance, if you borrowed a friend’s car and they had drugs in their car without your knowledge, you cannot be held accountable.

3. Mental incapacity

If the accused was mentally incapacitated at the time of the offense, it may serve as a valid defense. This could include involuntary intoxication or an underlying mental illness that caused them to commit the crime.