Cherokee County Drug Crime Lawyers

Drug use can have serious effects on the community which is why many drug charges in Cherokee County carry very severe potential penalties, including heavy fines and long prison sentences. Sometimes mandatory minimum sentences apply. Therefore, it is important to take drug charges seriously.

A knowledgeable Cherokee County drug lawyer can help thoroughly investigate the facts, preserve vital evidence, and exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument to their full potential.

Even a minor drug offense can have long-term consequences, so if you are facing drug charges, talk to an accomplished criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights.

Both U.S. and Georgia laws prohibit different actions with respect to drugs. Georgia law classifies controlled substances such as narcotics into five different categories and includes separate prohibitions on marijuana and counterfeit substances intended to look like illegal controlled substances.

Among other things, the laws prohibit:

• Possession of marijuana or controlled substances
• Possession of drugs with intent to sell
• Sale of controlled substances or marijuana
• Illegal transportation or trafficking in drugs
• Possession of drug-related objects or paraphernalia
• Manufacturing drugs
• Distributing drugs
• Drug use in connection with other criminal offenses

Georgia law also contains provisions which increase the penalties for involving minors in a marijuana offense or for using communications equipment such as a computer or telephone in the commission of a felony drug offense. State law also makes it illegal to abandon drugs in a public place or sell marijuana-flavored candy.

Lawmakers view certain drug offenses as causing more harm to society than others, so the penalties for drug crimes varies tremendously. Those facing charges of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, for instance, may only face up to one year in jail.

By contrast, someone found to be manufacturing or selling controlled substances may face up to 40 years of imprisonment and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. A Cherokee County drug lawyer could attempt to mitigate some of the penalties that an individual may face.

In addition to the disruptive effects of incarceration and the hardship of paying fines, even a minor drug offense can leave unwanted effects that last long into the future. There are often community service obligations and probationary requirements that restrict daily life for an extended period.

Perhaps more damaging, however, is the criminal record created from the offense, which is visible to every potential employer and landlord. A drug charge can make it difficult to pass background checks, obtain a job or housing, and can even affect personal relationships.

Many people in Cherokee County are not aware of the full extent of their rights and law enforcement officials often take advantage of that lack of knowledge to conduct illegal searches and seizures.

An experienced Cherokee County drug lawyer can analyze the circumstances of your case and help collect and preserve evidence that could show that the police made an illegal search, the drugs were not conclusively in your possession or several other defense theories.

An attorney familiar with the how the local courts have applied the laws can discuss the options available and advocate on your behalf to help you reach the optimum outcome in your case. Contact a lawyer now to learn how they can help.