In January 2019, 35-year-old Joseph Marrero Jr. of Atlanta was arrested and charged with drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute after authorities found a shipping container full of marijuana. A drug task force from Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and Forsyth County found 170 pounds of marijuana sealed in one pound bags and 1,200 THC oil cartridges in a shipping container in Alpharetta. They traced the container back to Marrero and arrested him.
Four days earlier, Jackson County authorities arrested four people when they found large quantities of multiple types of drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana inside of a Braselton home. The four Georgia residents were charged with multiple crimes, including: possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule 4 narcotic, as well as possession of heroin and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute.
These are just a few of the many drug arrests that are made in Georgia every single year. Drug charges are prosecuted aggressively and come with stiff penalties and consequences that often last a lifetime.
Consequences of Drug Crimes
Georgia drug laws attempt to regulate the possession and distribution of both illegal and prescription drugs. Even being in possession of a small amount of illegal drug can result in serious penalties and consequences. If the prosecution determines that the amount in your possession was more than just for individual use, you could be facing possession with intent to sell. The severity of the consequences depends largely on the type of drug you are arrested with and the amount of drug you are arrested with. For example, possession with intent to sell can quickly escalate to drug trafficking if there is a large enough amount of drugs in your possession.
There are mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses in Georgia that range from 1-15 years behind bars. For example, Being charged of having more than 400 grams of methamphetamines in your possession could result in your being convicted of drug trafficking methamphetamines. Because of the quantity of drug in your possession, you would face a minimum mandatory 25 years in prison. If you were caught with between 200 and 400 grams, your mandatory minimum sentence is reduced to 15 years.
Fighting Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentencing
There are three different ways your Atlanta drug crime defense lawyer can fight to reduce your mandatory minimum sentence. One of those ways is for your attorney to help you provide substantial assistance in the arrest of other individuals who may have been involved in the drug operation. Another is for your attorney to clearly establish that you were not the leader of the drug operation and you did not harm anyone. The courts may then decide to use their discretion to reduce your sentence. Finally, your attorney may be able to negotiate a reduced sentence with the District Attorney.
As you can see, having an experienced Atlanta drug defense lawyer on your side is key to protecting your future and avoiding the maximum consequences after a drug offense.
Have You Been Arrested for a Drug Crime?
Have you been arrested and charged with a drug crime in Atlanta, Georgia? At Schnipper Law, P.C., our Atlanta drug crime defense attorneys know how serious these charges can be and that’s why we fight aggressively for our clients from the moment they’re arrested. Call Schnipper Law P.C., at (404) 545-5845 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you fight these serious charges and defend yourself against false drug claims.
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