Atlanta Drug Possession Attorney
In the state of Georgia it is a crime to possess any amount of illegal drugs. Any person found in possession of an illegal drug, narcotic, or substance will face criminal prosecution. If you have been arrested for drug possession in Atlanta, it’s to your advantage to hire an experienced drug defense attorney to protect your rights and fight on your behalf in court. Without the representation of a skilled Atlanta drug possession lawyer, your chances of winning your case decrease significantly.
Penalties for Drug Possession in Atlanta
Although it is illegal to possess any type of illegal drugs, certain drugs will carry heavier penalties. The quantity of drugs in question will also have a direct impact on the extent of your penalties. For example, being in possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a far less serious offense than possessing large amounts of cocaine. Your penalties will also increase if you are charged with intent to distribute, if you distributed drugs near a school zone or to a minor, or if you have more than one drug offense on your permanent record.
Some of the possible punishments for drug possession in Atlanta are:
- Marijuana Possession
- Under An Ounce
- Up to 12 months in jail;
- Up to a $1,000 fine plus surcharges;
- Suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months
- Over an Ounce (with intent to distribute)
- 1 to 10 years in prison;
- Up to a $100,000 fine plus surcharges;
- Suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months
- Cocaine & Methamphetamine Possession
- Simple Possession
- 2-15 years in prison
- Up to a $100,000 fine plus surcharges
- Suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months
- With Intent to Distribute
- 5 to 30 years in prison;
- Up to a $100,000 fine plus surcharges;
- Suspension of your driver’s license for 6 months;
- On a second offense, the law allows a 10 to 40 year or life prison term
If you have been arrested on drug possession charges in Atlanta, hiring an experienced attorney to defend you in court is fundamental to winning your case. A seasoned Atlanta drug possession attorney like Matthew T. McNally will be able to review your case, explain your rights, and address all of your questions or concerns. Mr. McNally has handled many drug possession cases throughout his career, and knows of highly effective defense strategies to use in court. Mr. McNally will question whether or not the police officer had sufficient evidence to conduct an arrest, and will make sure that search and seizure laws were not violated. Most importantly, Mr. McNally is committed to working tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you are not found guilty!
Contact the Law Office of Matthew T. McNally today at (678) 386-4968!