If you’re arrested with any amount of cocaine in your possession, you will be charged with felony possession of cocaine. This is so even if you have a trace amount of cocaine on you. That’s because there is no such thing as a misdemeanor cocaine charge under Georgia law. That being said, possession of cocaine is a serious charge that carries significant penalties and ramifications. However, all is not lost if you’ve been charged with cocaine possession. The experienced criminal defense attorneys of The Turner Firm can help craft an individualized defense for you with the goal of reducing the criminal penalties as much as possible.
What are the penalties under Georgia law for cocaine possession?
In Georgia, cocaine possession is a felony crime. Punishment for cocaine possession is significantly greater than punishment for marijuana possession. That’s because cocaine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under Georgia law. If you’re convicted of cocaine possession, you’ll be facing the possibility of one to 15 years in prison as well as a maximum fine of $100,000 plus court costs and surcharges. You’ll also have your driver’s license suspended.
What if I’m charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute?
You don’t have to be a drug dealer to be charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Generally speaking, for a first offense drug possession charge, you will be faced with five to 30 years in prison. Similar to possessing cocaine in a school zone or other designated drug-free zone, the intent to distribute cocaine charge can increase the penalties that you face. For a second or subsequent conviction of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, you will be faced with ten years to 40 years or life imprisonment.
How do I protect my rights?
When you’re charged with a crime, you have certain rights such as the presumption of innocence until you are proven guilty. Even though these rights are automatically afforded to you under the law, you must take action to prevent your rights from being trampled. The experienced criminal defense attorneys of The Turner Firm can ensure your rights are protected at every stage of the criminal prosecution process. Call our office today for a free analysis of your case!