A drug charge in Gwinnett County can follow you long after the case closes. A conviction shows up on background checks and can cost you professional licenses or your immigration status. The penalties vary significantly depending on the specifics of the case, and it’s your lawyer’s job to investigate thoroughly and build an adequate defense. Our firm represents people facing possession, trafficking, and distribution charges in Peachtree Corners, and we’re here to help. Reach out today to schedule your confidential consultation with our criminal defense legal team in Peachtree Corners.
What Sets Gonzalez Torres Law Apart in Drug Crime Defense
Drug charges are not always simple, and they can have harsher consequences than many people expect. When you hire Gonzalez Torres Law, your case gets an attorney who has been through this process hundreds of times. Clients choose us because we bring:
- More than 20 years of criminal defense experience, including possession, distribution, and trafficking cases
- Over 530 criminal cases resolved
- Full service in English and Spanish, so you and your family understand exactly what is happening at every stage
You will not be handed off or left guessing about the status of your case. When you call with a question, you get a real answer from people who truly care about your case.
Meet Our Peachtree Corners Drug Lawyers
Why Legal Representation Matters in a Drug Crime Case
Having the right defense lawyer involved in your drug case means there’s someone in your corner making sure every aspect of your case is reviewed. Your lawyer reviews police reports, watches bodycam footage, and examines lab results to see if anything was missed or handled incorrectly. The attorney can also talk with the prosecutor to explore alternatives like a plea deal, diversion program, or, when needed, fight the case in court. Having legal representation by your side that actually knows what they’re doing and has the necessary experience pushes the prosecution to treat your case fairly.
What Drug Charges Can You Face in Georgia?
Georgia drug charges fall into four main categories, including possession or purchase, manufacturing, delivery or distribution, and trafficking. Many drug charges are felonies, but some are misdemeanors. For example, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. How serious the charge is depends mostly on the type of drug and the amount.
Georgia divides controlled substances into five schedules. Georgia generally imposes serious penalties for offenses involving Schedule I and II controlled substances, but the exact sentencing range depends on the specific drug, the amount involved, and whether the charge is possession, distribution, or trafficking.
Lower schedules cover prescription drugs like Xanax and Ambien, which carry lighter penalties. Large quantities can also turn a possession charge into trafficking, even if there’s no proof you ever sold anything.
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What Penalties Can Follow a Georgia Drug Conviction?
The sentencing range depends on the schedule of the drug, the amount involved, whether the charge is possession or something more serious, and your prior record. Most drug charges are felonies, meaning you could be facing jail or prison time. Drug convictions can also create collateral consequences involving employment, professional licensing, immigration status, and other areas of a person’s life.
For eligible defendants, options such as conditional discharge or a court-approved drug treatment program may be available, depending on the charge, criminal history, and circumstances.
Potential Legal Defenses For Drug Charges
An arrest is just an accusation, and it has to be proven by the prosecutor beyond a reasonable doubt. Some common defenses we use in these cases include:
- No possession: If the drugs were not on your person, we can argue that you didn’t actually possess them. This comes up when the substance is found in a shared space, like an apartment, house, car, or area that multiple people have access to.
- No intent to distribute: This charge is often based on the amount of drugs you have and other items found, like packing and scales. If this is the case, we can argue that you simply possessed the substance and items and had no intention to sell anything.
- Illegal stop or search: If the police pulled you over without a valid reason or searched you, your car, or your home without the legal right to do so, we can file a motion to suppress. If the court grants the motion, the unlawfully obtained evidence may be suppressed and unavailable to the prosecution.
- Valid prescription: If the charge involves a medication your doctor prescribed, we can present the prescription as a defense.
The right defense depends on the facts of your case, which is why we review the evidence closely before deciding what path to take.
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Speak With a Peachtree Corners Drug Crimes Attorney About Your Case
The state has law enforcement, lab technicians, investigators, and a prosecutor assigned to your case, and you deserve to have someone by your side who knows how to defend you at every turn. Call our office to schedule a consultation, and we will go through the police report with you, explain the charges, and give you an idea of what could happen next. Schedule your confidential evaluation today.