Category Archives: Drug Crimes
Constructive Possession in a Drug Trafficking Case Involving a Shared Car
Finding a trafficking quantity of drugs inside a car does not automatically establish that every person riding in the vehicle possessed them. A driver may own the car, a passenger may have brought a bag inside, or several occupants may have access to the place where police discover the drugs. When no one is… Read More »
The Weight of the Drugs Can Determine the Entire Direction of a Georgia Trafficking Case
In a Georgia trafficking case, drug weight can affect much more than the name of the charge. Once the quantity reaches a trafficking threshold, additional increases can place the case into higher statutory ranges carrying longer mandatory minimum sentences and substantially larger fines. A dispute over weight may still matter even when reducing the… Read More »
Automatic License Plate Readers Are Changing Drug Trafficking Investigations in Georgia
Automatic license plate readers can give investigators something they did not have in many older drug cases: a record showing where a vehicle was seen, when it was seen there, and which other vehicles appeared nearby over time. In a trafficking investigation, that information may help police reconstruct travel between cities, identify repeated stops… Read More »
A Shared Home Can Complicate a Georgia Drug Trafficking Investigation
Drugs found inside a home can create immediate suspicion, but a shared residence rarely tells police who actually knew the drugs were there or who controlled them. Police may find a trafficking quantity in a bedroom, closet, kitchen, garage, or another part of the house used by several people. One resident may own the… Read More »
How Prosecutors Try to Prove Intent to Distribute Without Evidence of an Actual Sale
A drug arrest in Atlanta does not need to include a hand-to-hand transaction for prosecutors to pursue possession with intent to distribute. Officers may never identify a buyer, witness drugs change hands, or recover evidence of a completed sale. The accusation can instead grow out of what police find with the drugs and what… Read More »
When Drug Possession Becomes Drug Trafficking Under Georgia Law
A drug trafficking charge in Georgia does not necessarily begin with an alleged sale. Police may recover drugs during a traffic stop, the execution of a search warrant, or another investigation without identifying a buyer, documenting a transaction, or claiming that money changed hands. For certain controlled substances, possessing enough of the drug can… Read More »
Opioid DUI Allegations in Georgia and the Difference Between Use and Impairment
An opioid DUI arrest can begin with a familiar situation: a driver has taken medication for pain, and a blood test later shows an opioid. Police may treat that result as evidence the driver was unsafe behind the wheel. The scientific and legal picture can be considerably more complicated. Opioids can affect alertness, judgment,… Read More »
Can Police Search Your Car for Drugs Without a Warrant?
Being pulled over by the police can be stressful, and it often becomes even more intimidating when an officer begins asking questions or looking inside your vehicle. Many drivers are unsure of their rights and wonder whether police can legally search their car for drugs without a warrant. At The Spizman Firm, our Atlanta… Read More »
How Do Drug Charges Affect Professional Licenses?
Facing drug charges can be stressful and overwhelming, but for many professionals, the stakes extend beyond potential fines or jail time. A criminal conviction for drug possession, distribution, or other drug-related offenses can have serious consequences for professional licenses in Georgia. At The Spizman Firm in Atlanta, we work with clients to understand the… Read More »
Top 4 Things You Need to Know About Federal vs. State Drug Charges in Georgia
Drug charges in Georgia can arise under both state and federal law, and the distinction between the two can have major consequences for defendants. Understanding whether a case will be prosecuted in state or federal court is critical, as each system has different procedures, penalties, and long-term implications. At The Spizman Firm in Atlanta,… Read More »
