Cobb County Drug Crimes Lawyers

Experienced Drug Crime Defense Attorneys Serving Marietta, GA

Drug-related crimes have been identified as the most common criminal cases in most of Georgia’s communities. These are offenses in which people of all ages and backgrounds may find themselves suddenly thrown into the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, being arrested and charged with drug crimes can lead to serious penalties and jeopardize future opportunities with a permanent criminal record upon conviction. 

If you have been arrested for a drug crime or are the parent of someone who has, it is vital that you bring in a trusted criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. At Smith, Schnatmeier, Dettmering & Kilgo, LLP, our attorneys have five decades of collective criminal law experience. Our team includes former prosecutors with inside knowledge of how the other side operates in its efforts to secure convictions. Our extensive knowledge, experience, and skills as a team can be put to your advantage in fighting to help you avoid or minimize the consequences of drug charges. We provide an aggressive defense of all misdemeanor and felony drug charges. 

Arrested on drug charges? Get sound advice about your case in a consultation with one of our Cobb County drug crime attorneys. Contact Smith, Schnatmeier, Dettmering & Kilgo, LLP at (770) 599-5328. 

Drug Crimes in Georgia

Drug crimes in Georgia fall under Title 16 Chapter 13 of the Georgia Statutes. Under the law, Georgia has established five “schedules” of controlled substances based on their potential for abuse, their medical value, and their level of addictiveness. They range in descending order of harmfulness from Schedule I as the most damaging down to Schedule V as the least. These controlled substances include such drugs as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, fentanyl, and more as well as prescription medicines, such as Adderall, Vicodin, OxyContin, and Xanax. 

Drug crimes in our state can include:

• Possession or possession with intent to distribute street drugs and controlled substances
• Manufacturing of narcotics
• Trafficking narcotics
• Illegal possession or possession with intent to distribute prescription drugs
• Fraudulently obtained prescription drugs
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs

Your penalties for any drug crime will depend on the type of drugs found in your possession, the quantity or weight of the drugs, whether you have past drug convictions, and other factors. Most Schedule I or Schedule II drug charges in the state are considered felonies. However, one ounce or less of marijuana is charged as a misdemeanor carrying up to a year in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. 

In some cases, such as for first-time nonviolent offenders, the state may offer a diversion program instead of criminal penalties. These programs may include drug treatment programs, educational and/or vocational classes, and more to rehabilitate drug users and give them the skills to lead productive lives. However, where these programs do not apply, the courts usually still impose stiff criminal penalties. These range from probated sentences to lengthy prison terms.