The Waltman Firm: Your Forsyth County Drug Crime Lawyers
Navigating drug charges without the help of Forsyth County drug crime lawyers can be tricky. Call The Waltman Firm in Forsyth for help. We are ready to serve you.
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Drug Crime Attorneys in Forsyth County, GA
Georgia law prohibits the possession, sale, trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution of illegal drugs. Depending on the type and amount of the drugs involved, these offenses can lead to heavy fines and up to 30 years behind bars.
Are you or a loved one facing a drug charge in Forsyth County? Consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney with a proven track record of defending drug-related crimes is crucial to your case’s success.
Drug crime lawyers will represent you throughout the criminal process and protect your rights. Going through the criminal investigation alone can be a trauma-inducing experience, especially if law enforcement officers manipulate or intimidate you into confessing. You have rights, and you deserve protection.
Our attorneys at The Waltman Firm are dedicated to defending your constitutional rights and fighting for your freedom. We have been on both sides of the justice system as prosecutors and defense counsel, and we know how to handle complex criminal cases.
What Happens After You Are Arrested For Drug Crimes?
If you get arrested for a drug offense in Forsyth County, it’s important that you comply with the instructions of the arresting officer and be courteous. However, collaborating doesn’t mean talking. You have the right to remain silent, and you should always use it.
Next, request an attorney or use your right to a phone call to ask a family member to hire one for you. The police will book you and place you in jail. Within 48 hours of your arrest, you will appear before a judge and be informed of your charges. You will also be asked to enter a plea.
If you plead not guilty, a trial date will be scheduled, and your case will proceed to pretrial hearings. This is where your defense and the prosecution can further investigate the case and negotiate plea deals. Your attorney will work to find inconsistencies or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as constitutional violations or inadmissible evidence. If any can be proved, your defense may be able to get your case dismissed before your trial or obtain a favorable plea deal.
If your case proceeds to trial, the assistance of an attorney becomes invaluable. The prosecution has to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction, and it’s your attorney’s job to prevent that.
Common Drug Crimes in Forsyth County, Georgia
Common drug offenses in Georgia include:
- Drug possession
- Drug trafficking
- Cultivation of illegal drugs such as marijuana
- Abusing and distributing prescription drugs
- Drug possession with the intent to sell
The type and amount of drugs found on you or your property will determine the charges you face. According to drug trafficking laws, the possession of the following drugs, among others, leads to a trafficking charge rather than possession:
- 28 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine
- Four grams of opium or morphine
- Ten pounds of marijuana
Penalties for Drug Crimes
In Georgia, drugs are divided into five categories or schedules.
- Schedule I: Drugs that do not have any medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD, psilocybin (mushrooms), and MDMA (ecstasy)
- Schedule II: Drugs accepted for medical uses but have a high potential for abuse. They could lead to psychological or physical dependence, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, and opium.
- Schedule III: Drugs with a low potential for abuse and dependence and accepted medical use, such as testosterone and steroids
- Schedule IV: Drugs that have a lower potential for abuse and limited potential for dependence, such as Xanax and Valium
- Schedule V: Any mixture, compound, or combination of small amounts of controlled substances, such as codeine and opium.
Possession of Schedule I and narcotic Schedule II drugs is punishable with 1-15 years in jail. You may receive up to 30 years for subsequent charges.
Possession of Schedule III, IV, and V could lead to 1-5 years in prison. A subsequent conviction will lead to a maximum of 10 years.
Consulting a criminal defense lawyer will increase your chances of getting your drug possession charge dropped or reduced.
How Can Forsyth Drug Crime Lawyers Help You?
A drug conviction may turn your life upside down, and its effects go beyond the temporary loss of freedom. The consequences of a criminal record will restrict your freedom for good. This is why it’s imperative to do everything you can to fight your drug crime charges.
A drug crimes attorney will have the necessary knowledge and resources to investigate your case, represent you during the criminal process, and defend you in court.
Attorneys work to get you a positive outcome. However, at times you may not receive the results you were seeking. If that’s the case, they will help you appeal the court’s decision and give you a second chance at winning back your freedom.
The Waltman Firm Can Help You
If you’ve been accused or arrested for a drug crime in Forsyth County, you need the help of The Waltman Firm. We have a proven track record of success in defending drug-related crimes and obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients.
When you work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer from our law firm, you know you’re getting the bold representation you need to fight your drug charges. We have extensive experience pleading before Forsyth Country counts, both as state and defense attorneys.
Contact our Forsyth County drug crime lawyers today to get the aggressive representation you deserve.
FAQs
Is Marijuana an Illegal Drug in Georgia?
Marijuana is illegal in Georgia. The possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by one year of jail, a fine of $1,000, or both. Probation and community service are viable alternatives for first-time offenders.
Can You Expunge or Restrict a Drug Conviction in Georgia?
If you are eligible for criminal record restriction, your drug conviction may be sealed from the public record. However, prosecutors, police officers, and criminal justice system searches may still access your record. You are usually able to apply for record restriction after a conviction-free period after serving your sentence.
