Drug Crime Charges
If you are facing drug charges in Gwinnett County, get our experienced Norcross drug crime defense attorneys on your side.
All drugs are not created equal. Some are more addictive for users and their effects can be potentially deadly. As a result, charges and penalties vary depending on the specific offense and the type of drug involved. At the same time, all drug crimes in Georgia are a serious matter and can result in heavy fines and a lengthy jail sentence. When you are facing these types of charges, you need our experienced Gwinnett County drug crime defense attorneys at Zimmerman & Associates fighting on your side.
Georgia Drug Schedules
Under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, drugs are classified into different categories, known as drug schedules. These are based on the potential for abuse or addiction and whether they have accepted medical uses. Criminal charges involving even what might be considered minor or ‘recreational’ drugs can result in serious penalties. At Zimmerman & Associates, our Norcross drug crime attorneys represent people facing charges involving the following:
- Schedule I drugs: These have the highest potential for abuse and are not approved for medical use, such as heroin, LSD, mushrooms (psilocybin), MDMA (otherwise known as Molly), and ecstasy. Marijuana is also considered a schedule I drug in Georgia.
- Schedule II drugs: These also have a high potential for abuse but some are accepted for medical uses. They include hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, methadone, adderall, and ritalin, as well as ‘street’ drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
- Schedule III drugs: These have accepted medical uses but still have significant potential for abuse. They include anabolic steroids, suboxone, testosterone, and ketamine.
- Schedule IV drugs: These are drugs with accepted uses and a lower potential for abuse, such as xanax, darvocet, valium, ativan, and ambien.
- Schedule V drugs: These are commonly prescribed, have a lower potential for abuse, and lower ‘street’ value. They include drugs such as Lyrica and cough medicines containing small amounts of codeine.
Penalties for Drug Crimes in Georgia
In addition to the drug involved, penalties you face depend on the actual type of drug crime of which you are accused. At Zimmerman & Associates, we represent clients facing serious penalties as a result of the following:
- Drug possession:
- Drug manufacturing;
- Drug distribution and sales;
- Drug trafficking;
- Marijuana related drug crimes;
- Possession of prescription drugs not in proper container; and
- Prescription drug fraud.
For schedule I or II drugs, a first offense for drug possession carries up to a 15-year prison sentence, while manufacturing or distribution could result in 30 years. For schedule III or IV drugs, possession could result in a five-year sentence, with up to 10 years for manufacturing, distribution, or sales. Depending on the type of drug and whether you crossed state lines, federal drug charges may also apply.
Contact Our Norcross, GA Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
If you are facing any type of drug charges, you need Zimmerman & Associates on your side to build a strong legal defense. Call or contact our Gwinnett County drug crime attorneys today and request a free consultation to discuss how we can help you.