The Chouhan Law Firm, LLC: Your Drug Lawyer Atlanta
A criminal conviction can have long-term consequences. Having a drug lawyer in Atlanta may improve your outcome. Contact The Chouhan Law Firm, LLC for advice.
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Drug Attorney Atlanta
In Georgia, drug-related offenses are taken very seriously. Any criminal activity that involves the possession, production, use, or distribution of controlled substances is considered a drug offense and is against the law.
Have you been arrested or accused of criminal charges for any drug-related crime-related offenses in Atlanta? Drug lawyers at Chouhan Law Firm, LLC can aggressively represent you against these types of charges. Therefore, look no further if you seek to hire a skilled federal drug crime lawyer with a reputation as an elite drug defense attorney.
Georgia Law Governing Drug Possession
The Georgia Drug Enforcement Agency classifies types of drugs into five different schedules.
Schedule 1 comprises the most serious and dangerous drugs like LSD, heroin, MDMA, and marijuana. Schedule 1 drugs have a high potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use in the US.
Schedule 2 includes controlled substances like cocaine, codeine, morphine, methadone, opium, methamphetamine, and phentermine. Drugs categorized in Schedule 2 have a high abuse potential but have an accepted medical use. Abuse of these drugs can lead to severe physical dependence.
Schedule 3 drugs have relatively less potential for abuse and have accepted medical usage. They include stimulants, depressants, and anabolic steroids. Schedule 3 drugs can result in moderate psychological dependence.
Schedule 4 controlled substances include certain depressants and stimulants. They have accepted medical usage and have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule 3 drugs.
Schedule 5 entails the potential minor drugs for abuse. The drugs involved are accepted for medical use. Examples include limited quantities of narcotics and certain ingredients with medicinal value.
In addition to the above schedules, the law in Georgia classifies prescription medication as illegal without a legal prescription. Examples of misused prescription drugs include Oxycontin, Vicodin, Xanax, Ritalin, and Demerol.
In Georgia, being under the influence of illegal substances is unlawful. Offenders will face criminal charges, especially when under the influence in public or operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.
Penalties for Drug Crimes
Offenders may face criminal drug charges and harsh penalties for violating laws on the possession of drugs. Drug trafficking laws criminalize individuals who sell, manufacture, transport, or bring controlled substances into Georgia. In Georgia, prosecutors charge drug offenses as serious felony offenses, and the penalties for drug crimes will vary depending on the:
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Nature of the offense
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Amount of controlled substance in possession
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Classification of the drug involved
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The defendant’s criminal record
Violations of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act (VHCSA) can result in hefty fines and decades of imprisonment years behind bars, especially for trafficking large quantities or transporting illegal drugs. Non-citizens found in drug possession face deportation or inadmissibility.
Depending on the schedule to which the drug belongs, offenders can face penalties like fines and forfeiture of property allegedly purchased with money associated with illegal drug sales. In federal drug cases, the government can seize the defendant’s land, bank accounts, houses, automobiles, and other assets.
Defendants possessing Schedule 1 and 2 narcotics can face a jail term of 2-15- years in prison. Defendants with prior criminal history can face imprisonment for up to 30 years. Defendants with a first-time drug conviction can receive a conditional release sentence.
Drivers found under the influence of drugs can face penalties like license suspension, probation, up to 1 year in jail, community service, or mandatory drug rehabilitation.
How Can Drug Offense Lawyers Help?
Lawmakers and law enforcement in Georgia view drug-related offenses as serious crimes. Whether you have marijuana in your possession or large quantities of other illegal drugs like cocaine or MDMA, you need ample preparation for such a serious case by hiring an experienced Atlanta drug lawyer.
Drug lawyers at The Chouhan Law Firm, LLC, can help those charged with a drug crime avoid conviction. Our Atlanta-based drug attorneys are experienced in dealing with drug offenses and are familiar with the criminal justice system, the prosecutors, and the judges. A skilled drug trafficking attorney will seek a dismissal of your case or negotiate a reduced sentence if you are convicted.
However, it is important to remember that being charged with drug-related crimes doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be convicted. But, the most favorable outcome of your case lies in the skills of your Atlanta drug crime lawyer.
By contacting our top-rated criminal lawyer early on, we can protect your rights, obtain bonds, and prepare the strongest defense possible. Among the drug charges our lawyers defend are:
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Selling drugs
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Drug trafficking
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Drug distribution
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Drug possession
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Drug smuggling
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Juvenile drug distribution
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Marijuana cultivation
Where to Seek Legal Counsel
Drug attorneys at The Chouhan Law Firm believe in fighting for those charged with drug-related cases. Our goal is to help safeguard your access to justice following an arrest.
For excellent criminal defense in Georgia, contact The Chouhan Law Firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the First-Time Drug Offenders Go to Jail in GA?
Drug-related offenses are felonies; therefore, first-time drug offenders can face penalties such as probation, fines, possible jail term, suspension, or program completion.
Can Drug Charges in Georgia Be Expunged From a Person’s Record?
Yes, in some cases, drug charges in Georgia can be expunged from a person’s record. This typically requires that the individual meet certain eligibility criteria, such as completing a drug treatment program or probation, and may require a waiting period before the expungement can occur.
Can I be Arrested for Seeking Medical Assistance for Drug Overdose in Georgia?
Georgia Code § 16-13-5 provides some immunity from prosecution for drug-related offenses for individuals who seek medical assistance for someone who is experiencing a drug overdose. Specifically, the law provides that individuals who seek medical assistance for someone who is overdosing on drugs or who are themselves experiencing an overdose will not be charged with drug possession or other drug-related offenses if the evidence for such charges was obtained solely as a result of seeking medical assistance.
