Category Archives: Drug Crimes
Does Selling Painkillers Prove You Belong to a Criminal Gang in Georgia?
Georgia prosecutors often pursue multiple criminal charges against individuals suspected of dealing controlled substances. This includes not just illegal street drugs like marijuana and cocaine, but also highly addictive prescription medications such as Percocet, a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. In some cases, the state may even argue that buying or selling such drugs… Read More »
Is Being in the “Presence” of Drugs a Crime in Georgia?
You probably know that it is against the law in Georgia to possess certain controlled substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamine. But what exactly does “possession” mean? Obviously, if a police officer finds drugs on your person during a lawful search, that is evidence of actual possession. Yet Georgia law also permits a jury… Read More »
Can I Refuse a Police Search If I’m on Probation?
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution normally protects a person’s right to be free from “unreasonable search and seizures.” This means that, absent certain exceptions recognized by the courts, the police must first obtain a warrant before searching you or your property without your consent. Such a warrant requires a magistrate to find… Read More »
Can You Challenge the Legality of a Traffic Stop or Drug Arrest in Georgia?
Drug crime prosecutions often begin with a traffic stop. A police officer pulls a driver over for committing a routine traffic infraction. But the officer then suspects there may be other criminal activity afoot. For example, the officer may smell marijuana smoke or alcohol and suspect the driver is intoxicated or in possession of… Read More »
Drugs Were Found in My House: How Do I Prove They Are Not Mine?
Drug possession is a serious crime in Georgia, and the consequences of a conviction can be severe. But what happens when drugs are found in your house, and you are certain that they are not yours? In this situation, you need to understand what constructive possession is and how you can prove that the… Read More »
How Are Georgia Drug Possession Sentences Determined?
There is never a good scenario when it comes to possessing illegal drugs and encountering the police. When a controlled substance is in your possession and you are stopped by the police, you are going to be arrested. The penalties for drug possession can vary though and there are specific factors that will go… Read More »
How Jeff Sessions’ Decision on Marijuana Could Affect Georgians
The federal government has, at least once, claimed that marijuana has no medical benefit. Studies have shown otherwise. A father in Georgia has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, namely Attorney General Jeff Sessions, alleging that the government’s classification as marijuana as a Schedule I substance is preventing some who need it from… Read More »
Can I Go to Jail for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia?
Most people are aware that it is generally illegal to possess non-prescription narcotics and other illicit drugs. If the police find you with heroin, cocaine and even marijuana, you could be looking at jail time. But what about possessing tools and instruments, otherwise known as paraphernalia, related to those drugs? Read on to discover… Read More »
Marijuana Has Been “Decriminalized” in Atlanta. What’s That Really Mean?
Until just last week, those in possession of small amounts of marijuana in Atlanta faced jail time. Even less than an ounce could land you behind bars. Thanks to a new city ordinance, any person in Atlanta that is caught with less than a single ounce of marijuana won’t be facing any time in… Read More »
When It Comes to Weed, the Federal Government Still Rules
Across the country, marijuana laws are trending toward the liberal. Marijuana is being permitted for medicinal use and, in some states, recreational use. In fact, 44 states as of 2017 have legalized the use of the herb for medicinal purposes. In other states, having a small, personal amount of marijuana on your person is… Read More »