Being charged with a drug crime is not just frightening. It can be life-changing. A conviction could lead to steep fines and a prison sentence. It can also hurt your reputation and make finding a job difficult. If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug-related offense, you need to call an experienced Union City drug crime defense lawyer.
Attorney Gil of The Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C. has the experience to represent you in criminal court. He has spent years helping people facing drug charges in Georgia, and he will fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone deserves the opportunity to correct those mistakes. If you’re facing drug charges, we can help. Call us at 404-418-7816 today for a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer in Union City.
Types of Drug Crimes
In the state of Georgia, there are a variety of drug-related offenses you can be charged with. Some of these crimes are misdemeanors, while others are felonies. Regardless of the type of drug crime you’re charged with, these are life-changing accusations.
Attorney Gil is experienced with Georgia’s legal system and drug laws and will fight to protect your rights. The following are some of the common drug crime charges in Georgia.
Possession
There are 2 kinds of possession: constructive and actual. If drugs are found in a vehicle and no one claims them, every occupant in the vehicle can be charged with constructive possession of drugs. Actual possession happens when drugs were allegedly found on the body of the person facing charges.
Possession With Intent to Distribute
This charge is brought when the volume of drugs found is large enough that selling or distributing was possible. The penalties are harsher than for simple possession.
Prescription Fraud
Prescription fraud charges are usually brought when the authorities find someone with unreasonable or unjustifiable types and quantities of prescription drugs. Giving out illegal prescriptions can also fall under prescription fraud.
Manufacturing /Cultivation
In drug manufacturing and cultivation cases, the accused is charged with processing, compounding, producing, or preparing a controlled substance. Common examples of manufacturing and cultivation operations include “meth labs” for making methamphetamine, ecstasy labs, and “grow houses” for marijuana.
Transportation
Drug transportation is a serious crime that involves transporting illegal drugs via couriers like the U.S. Postal Service.
Sales
Selling both small and large quantities of controlled substances is illegal in Georgia. The severity of a sales charge is dependent on the type and amount of drugs that were allegedly involved, as well as whom the buyers and sellers were (either adults or minors).
Trafficking
In Georgia, drug trafficking is one of the most serious drug crimes to be charged with. These charges involve any steps involved in manufacturing, transporting, or selling any illegal substance. This includes methamphetamine (meth), heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Crimes in Georgia?
If you have been charged with a drug crime, you may find yourself facing stiff fines, loss of your driver’s license, or even potential jail time. Depending on the specific charges, you may face anywhere from 1 to 30 years in prison for drug crime charges.
The following are some possible penalties for drug crimes in Georgia.
- Possession of Drugs like Heroin – 1 to 15 years in prison for just a couple of grams.
- Possession With Intent /Manufacturing Drugs – 5 to 30 years in prison.
- Trafficking – 5 to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 to -$1,000,000 fine.
Don’t risk your freedom and future! Call us today at 404-418-7816. We’ll give you a free consultation and go over your options.
Call Attorney Gil of The Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III has years of experience as an attorney and an experienced staff. You’re going to be treated with dignity and respect every step of the way.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Drug Charge in Georgia
You may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony charge, depending on the amount and type of drugs you have in your possession. Other contributing factors will be whether or not you were trafficking drugs or selling drugs.
Controlled substances are divided into 5 different “schedules” or categories of substances. Possession of a Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V substance is a felony. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor. More than one ounce of marijuana is a felony charge.
Don’t risk your reputation by neglecting to hire an experienced attorney for your drug charges. Call Attorney Gil at 404-418-7816 and get the help that you need from his experienced staff. You may be eligible for a diversion program if you’ve never been charged with a drug crime before.
Can I Have a Drug Conviction Expunged in Georgia?
If this is your first-time offense, you may be eligible for a diversion program that will drop the case and expunge it, thus removing it from your record. You may have to petition the court to expunge the charge from your record if you’ve completed a program that makes you eligible for this.
Different charges will have different requirements, so you’ll need to contact an experienced attorney like Attorney Gil to find out if it’s possible to have charges removed from your record and what steps you’ll need to take.
Contact us at 404-418-7816 for your free consultation regarding your case.
Possible Defenses in Drug Crimes Cases
Each case is unique, and you should contact an experienced drug crime lawyer in Union City to determine the best defense in your case. Lack of probable cause and arguing that you are the owner of the drug are two common defenses.
Lack of Probable Cause
There may be an argument that the police didn’t have probable cause to search your home, person, or vehicle. If the police didn’t have a warrant or probable cause, evidence from the search isn’t admissible in court.
The Drugs Were Not Yours
If you are charged with possession, you may be able to use the argument that the drugs weren’t yours. Perhaps they belonged to a friend or another occupant of a vehicle or home.
You don’t have to navigate the court system alone. Attorney Gilbert Sperling and his staff are here to help you. Our team will conduct a complete investigation into the case. We will work closely with you to understand the exact situation and your possible defenses.
Give us a call today at 404-418-7816 and set up your free consultation.
How Can a Drug Crime Lawyer in Union City Help Me?
Attorney Gil of The Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C. has spent years helping clients facing drug charges in Georgia. Here are some of the ways our team can help you.
- If you are eligible, we can help you enter a diversion program and have your conviction expunged.
- Attorney Gil can negotiate with the prosecutor to secure a plea agreement that can reduce the penalties for a drug conviction.
- Attorney Gil has the experience and knowledge to represent you in criminal court.
How Much Will Hiring a Union City Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Cost?
When you call Attorney Gil at 404-418-7816, you’ll receive a free short consultation regarding your case. If they decide to take your case, they will go over all of the fees and payment options with you at that time.
No two drug cases will be the same. How much you can expect to pay for a private criminal defense attorney will depend on the severity of the charges, the attorney’s experience, and whether the case goes to trial. If your case goes to trial, you will end up paying more.
At The Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., we offer a free consultation where we review your case. Our staff will go over all the fees and payment options if we decide to take your charge. You can reach us anytime 24/7 to schedule a consultation.
The sooner you call 404-418-7816, the sooner you can find out what your options are. A conviction can greatly impact the rest of your life. Don’t risk losing your freedom.
Call Today for a Free Consultation!
Facing drug charges is frightening. A conviction could lead to steep fines and even jail time. Depending on the specific charges, you may face anywhere from 1 to 30 years in prison. A conviction can also hurt your reputation and make finding a job difficult.
If you or someone you love is charged with a drug crime in Union City, you’ll want to choose an attorney that will treat you with respect and guide you through the process. You want an attorney with knowledge of Georgia’s drug laws and legal system and the experience needed to fight for the best outcome in your case.
Attorney Gil has the expertise and know-how to represent you in court and guide you through this process. He has handled many similar cases in Georgia and will fight to secure the best outcome.
Don’t let drug charges define the rest of your life. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone deserves the opportunity to correct those mistakes. Call The Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C. at 404-418-7816 to set up a free consultation. You can reach us anytime 24/7.
