Drug Manufacturing Charge Defense Lawyers in Marietta, GA
If you face drug manufacturing charges, defense lawyers in Marietta, GA, can provide valuable resources and support. Contact The Waltman Firm for a consultation.
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770.288.9314
Marrieta Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorney
The Drug Enforcement Agency creates federal drug offenses and classifies drugs into different schedules to identify them and criminalize drug-related acts. Similarly, the Georgia Controlled Substances Act regulates all drugs in Georgia.
It classifies controlled substances into five schedules according to their tendency to be abused, medical use, and safety. The Act also creates drug offenses and lists out the prescribed punishment for all of these offenses. One such offense is drug manufacturing.
The Official Code of Georgia in § 16-13-30(b) makes it an offense to manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, sell, or possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance as listed in the controlled substance schedules.
A drug conviction for manufacturing attracts stiff penalties and is something you should try to avoid. It is crucial that you hire a drug crime lawyer from The Waltman Firm as soon as possible if you are facing charges of this nature. Skilled drug manufacturing charge lawyers in Marietta, Georgia, understand the state law inside out and how best to use it to defend you.
Drug Manufacturing in the Georgia Code
Georgia Code § 16-13-30 contains comprehensive laws that expressly prohibit illegal drug and controlled substance manufacturing in Georgia. In addition to prohibiting the illegal manufacturing of illegal drugs and the cultivation of marijuana, the law also criminalizes possession and procurement of any substances, including precursor chemicals, as well as equipment and tools used to manufacture controlled substances in Schedule I or II.
In addition, the law criminalizes manufacturing imitation or counterfeit substances with the intent to distribute them. Based on the statute’s wording, manufacturing crimes typically require proof of intent to distribute.
The offense of drug manufacturing is treated as a felony offense. It attracts different penalties depending on the schedule of the manufactured drug and other surrounding circumstances.
Possible Defenses to a Drug Manufacturing Charge
A skilled attorney has an arsenal of common defenses they might use in a drug manufacturing charge, including illegal surveillance of the accused, invalid warrants, improper seizures, etc. Anything proving that law enforcement made procedural errors in procuring the arrest and charging the accused can be used to take away from the case’s merit.
Furthermore, evidence can be inadmissible if acquired illegally. Another defense could be a lack of knowledge on the accused’s part that their property was being used to manufacture controlled substances.
Your lawyer will build your defense around the unique situation of your arrest. The key is to hire a Georgia drug crime lawyer who can take advantage of the little details that can make all the difference in your case.
Drug Manufacturing Charge Penalties
What you need to know about drug penalties is that they are strict, and convictions go on your permanent criminal record. Criminal charges could have a lot of repercussions on your private life.
Prospective employers, schools, landlords, and insurance companies can access your criminal record, which could lead to you losing out on a lot of opportunities.
Drug charges could also affect your social life. It could cause rifts in your family, make you lose custody of your child, make you lose friends, and so on.
In addition, you still have to face the legal system and its prescribed punishment for your offense. This could include jail time, a fine, community service, probation, or mandatory drug classes.
Factors That Affect the Severity of Drug Manufacturing Penalties
First Offense/Subsequent Offense
A first offense of manufacturing illegal drugs typically attracts lesser penalties than repeat offenses. For example, drug manufacturing crimes involving a Schedule I or II controlled substance are felony offenses. But, the first conviction attracts a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail, while subsequent conviction attracts up to 40 years or life imprisonment.
The escalating penalties are to discourage recidivism. So if you are facing your second or third drug charge in Georgia, you get much stiffer penalties unless a skilled defense attorney in Marietta, GA, comes to your aid.
The Schedule of the Drug or Controlled Substance
The higher a drug’s schedule, the harsher the penalties. For instance, manufacturing Schedule IV drugs may be punished less severely than manufacturing a Schedule II narcotic drug. This is because Schedule II controlled substances are considered more dangerous than Schedule III and below.
Whether a Minor was Involved
Generally speaking, most criminal offenses, including drug crimes, are punished more severely where minors and children are involved. The law recognizes them as uniquely vulnerable and seeks to offer them more protection.
The Amount of Drugs
You may get away with a lesser punishment as recommended by the Georgia Controlled Substances Act if the quantity of substance you were caught with is very small. Manufacturing in large quantities will likely result in longer prison time.
Other Drug Charges
The Waltman Firm can handle drug manufacturing and other controlled substances or drug crimes. We can assist you with the following drug crimes charges:
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Drug possession crimes/possession with intent
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Possession of drug paraphernalia
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Drug trafficking/possession with intent to sell
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Purchase of controlled substances
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Attempt or conspiracy to commit a drug-related offense
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Drug crimes involving a minor
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Driving under the influence of drugs or controlled substances
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Unlawful manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to sell counterfeit or imitation of a controlled substance
In the event that you have been charged with any of the above charges or other related offenses, you need the assistance of a criminal defense attorney who knows the criminal justice system inside and out. A skilled attorney may be able to get you out of a severe drug charge or get it dropped entirely.
How The Waltman Firm Can Help You
There are many intricacies surrounding Georgia’s drug laws. The prosecution has to prove that certain conditions were in place to secure a conviction. Holly Waltman, the founder of The Waltman Firm, is a former prosecutor who has valuable experience and knowledge about drug charges.
The Waltman Firm can create a comprehensive and in-depth defense for you that could lower your charges or get them all dropped. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate to get to the bottom of things and find evidence that could help you. Our knowledge of the law enables us to find ways to defend our clients with the law rather than let them suffer at its hands.
The Waltman Firm’s professional and experienced Marietta drug crime attorneys provide aggressive defense, professionalism, experience, and clear communication. Over the years, we have successfully defended thousands of clients. So, if you are facing charges for drug crimes and require a solid defense, contact The Waltman Firm now!
