Atlanta Drug Lawyer

Prosecutors treat the enforcement of drug crimes seriously, whether it is simple possession of a drug like marijuana or trafficking of more dangerous drugs like cocaine and fentanyl.

If you are convicted of a drug crime, you will face serious penalties. Due to the severity of these charges, it is crucial that you contact an Atlanta drug lawyer to defend you. Our team could work to have the charges dropped or reduced based on the circumstances of your case. Pleading guilty means you will have a drug conviction on your record permanently. Contact our dedicated criminal defense attorneys to discuss your case.

Drug Crimes

Drug crimes involve the possession, distribution, transportation, or manufacturing of controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and LSD. Even the possession of medication like Xanax, oxycontin, or Adderall without valid prescription is a crime.

The unlawful possession of any Schedule I Controlled Substance, Schedule II narcotic, or Schedule II non-narcotic is a felony punishable by a prison term of two to thirty years, depending on the quantity of drugs. The unlawful possession of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance is still a felony and punishable by a one to five-year term of incarceration.

The penalties for the felony unlawful sale or distribution of any Schedule I or II Controlled Substance include a term of incarceration of one to thirty years, depending on quantity of drugs. Similarly, the sale of any Schedule III, IV or V Controlled Substance is a felony punishable by one to ten years in prison, depending on quantity. A lawyer in Atlanta could go over the various classifications of drug charges and penalties before coming up with a defense strategy.

Potential Defenses to Drug Crimes

When you are charged with a drug-related crime, an attorney in Atlanta could explore the options for a potential defense. Depending on the circumstances, there may be an argument for reducing or eliminating charges. Some common defenses in drug cases include:

Illegal Search and Seizure

The Fourth Amendment guarantees citizens the right to be free from unlawful searches and seizures. When officers conduct an illegal search, it is a violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights.

Suppression of Evidence

Certain evidence must be suppressed either because it violates the defendant’s rights or the rules of evidence. Either way, arguing that key evidence must be suppressed is a strong tactic in drug crime cases.

Insufficient Evidence

Prosecutors must prove the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. If the state cannot meet its evidentiary burden on all elements of the offense, the court must dismiss the case.

Lack of Intent

Drug crimes require the prosecutor to prove the accused intended to distribute the controlled substance. Without intent, the state may consider reducing or dropping the charges.

Reach Out to an Atlanta Lawyer Knowledgeable in Drug Crimes

A drug crime conviction will impact you for the rest of your life. When you were accused of a drug crime or believe you may be under investigation, contact an Atlanta drug lawyer. Every moment counts when it comes to protecting your liberty and the consequences for possessing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances are steep.

If you contact a defense attorney as soon as you are charged, we could begin crafting a defense at the outset. There are many defenses available to someone charged with a drug crime. If prosecutors cannot make their case against you, we could advocate for the charges to be reduced or dropped. Call us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your case.