Fighting Drug Possession Charges in Atlanta

Facing drug possession charges in Atlanta can be a daunting experience. The consequences can be severe, potentially leading to fines, probation, or even imprisonment. However, with the right knowledge and a competent legal defense, you can navigate through the complexities of the legal system and increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. Our Georgia drug crime lawyers will provide you with essential tips and insights to help you understand and fight drug possession charges in Atlanta.

1. The Importance of Understanding Drug Laws in Atlanta:

To mount an effective defense, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of drug laws in Atlanta. This section will outline the specific drug possession laws in the city, including the classification of controlled substances and the associated penalties. By being well-informed, you can better assess the severity of your charges and strategize accordingly.

2. Evaluating the Circumstances of Your Arrest:

The circumstances surrounding your arrest can significantly impact your case. This section will delve into the various factors that can influence the outcome, such as illegal search and seizure, Miranda rights violations, and lack of probable cause. Understanding your rights and identifying any potential violations can be instrumental in building a strong defense.

3. Challenging the Evidence Against You:

Prosecutors rely heavily on evidence to prove drug possession charges. This section will explore effective strategies for challenging the evidence, including questioning the chain of custody, challenging the credibility of witnesses, and disputing the accuracy of drug tests. By highlighting potential weaknesses in the prosecution's case, you can strengthen your defense.

4. Exploring Alternative Sentencing Options:

In some cases, exploring alternative sentencing options can be a viable strategy to mitigate the consequences of drug possession charges. This section will discuss diversion programs, drug courts, and rehabilitation options available in Atlanta. By demonstrating your commitment to rehabilitation, you may be able to secure a more lenient sentence.

5. The Role of an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney:

Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially when facing drug possession charges. This section will emphasize the importance of hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who specializes in drug-related cases. A skilled attorney can provide expert guidance, protect your rights, and develop a personalized defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.

Contact Our Georgia Drug Possession Lawyers

Fighting drug possession charges in Atlanta requires a thorough understanding of the law, careful evaluation of the circumstances, and a strategic defense approach. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can empower yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate the legal process effectively.

At The Abt Law Firm, LLC, we specialize in defending individuals facing drug possession charges in Atlanta. Our experienced team of criminal defense attorneys is dedicated to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your situation.

TO SPEAK WITH A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, CALL US AT (770) 977-6105 OR CONTACT US ONLINE TODAY. YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION IS FREE

Defending Drug Crimes in Atlanta

Being charged with a drug crime in Atlanta can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. The consequences of a conviction can be severe, including hefty fines, probation, and even imprisonment. However, with the right approach and a strong defense strategy, you can increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. Our Atlanta drug crime lawyers, we will provide you with five essential steps to build a robust defense against drug crimes in Atlanta.

1. Understand the Charges and Penalties

Before you can effectively defend yourself against drug crime charges, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the specific charges you are facing and the potential penalties associated with them. Familiarize yourself with the Georgia Controlled Substances Act and other relevant laws to gain insight into how the legal system operates in drug-related cases.

Types of Drug Crime Charges

2. Seek Legal Representation from Experienced Drug Crime Attorneys

When facing drug crime charges, it is crucial to have a knowledgeable and experienced attorney by your side. Look for criminal defense attorneys in Atlanta who specialize in drug crimes, as they will have the expertise and understanding needed to build a strong defense tailored to your specific case. A skilled attorney will scrutinize the evidence, challenge any procedural errors, and explore possible defenses to ensure the best possible outcome.

3. Conduct a Thorough Investigation

A robust defense strategy relies on a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your drug crime charges. Your attorney should investigate the legality of the search and seizure, the chain of custody of evidence, and any potential violations of your constitutional rights. Gathering all available evidence, including witness testimonies and expert opinions, can help build a solid defense against the prosecution's case.

4. Challenge the Prosecution's Evidence

Prosecutors must present compelling evidence to secure a conviction. Your defense attorney should meticulously review all the evidence presented against you and identify any weaknesses or inconsistencies. Challenging the credibility or reliability of the prosecution's evidence can significantly weaken their case and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

5. Explore Alternative Sentencing Options

Depending on the circumstances of your case, your attorney may be able to negotiate alternative sentencing options that can help you avoid the most severe penalties. These may include drug diversion programs, probation, or treatment programs. Exploring these alternatives can demonstrate your commitment to rehabilitation and may lead to a more lenient sentence.

Contact Our Georgia Drug Crime Lawyers

By following these essential steps, you can strengthen your defense against drug crime charges in Atlanta. Remember, every case is unique, and consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial to tailor a defense strategy that suits your specific situation.

If you are facing drug crime charges in Atlanta, The Abt Law Firm, LLC is here to help. Our team of skilled attorneys has extensive experience defending clients against drug crime charges, and we are committed to fighting for your rights and securing the best possible outcome. 

Our team is welcoming, professional, and knowledgeable, and we're prepared to fiercely defend you. Schedule a consultation by calling us at (770) 977-6105 or contacting us online today for a drug crime lawyer near you.

Drugs Found In Your Home? Here's How To Beat The Case

If police charge you with possession of drugs in your home, you may think it will be a lost cause to prove your innocence. Unfortunately, this is what police want you to believe. Through various intimidation tactics and carefully-worded statements, police will set up a case to make it appear as if it is open and shut.

Yet if you use good judgment in these situations and hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, you may discover the case police claim to have against you is full of holes that can be used to your advantage. If you're wondering how to beat a case such as this, here are some important details to remember.

Waving the Magic Wand

When police claim to discover drugs in your home, it seems as if they can wave a magic wand and find one piece of evidence after another, pointing directly at you. For example, if they find a prescription pill bottle with your name on it next to the drugs, they put two and two together and determine the drugs belong to you.

However, in these cases, two and two in police math equals five. Since other people likely have access to your home on a daily basis, your criminal defense attorney can easily point to numerous other people police should investigate.

"Constructive" Possession

While police are all too eager to claim you were in possession of the drugs, the fact is you were not. Even if the drugs were discovered in your home, a knowledgeable defense attorney could zero in on the fact that neither actual nor constructive possession has been proven by the police. Since the drugs were not found in your pockets or hands, actual possession is out of the question.

In addition, if you have not given the police any statements to the contrary, no witnesses can verify the drugs were yours, no scientific evidence exists to prove ownership of the drugs, and there is no other so-called evidence other than your proximity to the drugs; police really have no case against you.

Since police and prosecutors are always eager to gain drug-related convictions, they will use every trick in the book against you. Yet by having a criminal defense attorney on your side who understands this process and will fight to protect your Constitutional rights, you will essentially be able to beat cops at their own game.

Give our team at The Abt Law Firm a call today (770) 977-6105 to discuss your situation over a free consultation.

Drug Possession Vs. Trafficking In Georgia

Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is the act of producing illicit drugs or selling them. It also includes delivering the substances and possessing large amounts for the purpose of selling them. Georgia law subjects people convicted on these charges to mandatory minimum sentences, so they are very likely to receive long prison sentences.

If someone is arrested in possession of a large amount of an illicit drug, the law assumes that the drugs were not purchased for the individual’s personal use. In this case, the police may arrest the person on drug trafficking charges depending upon the kind of drug it is and whether or not it is a liquid.

In addition to drug trafficking charges, a person can receive further charges if someone under the age of 17 is used to help distribute the drug.

A person convicted of trafficking schedule I or schedule II drugs has the possibility of receiving a prison sentence of five to 30 years. Possession of schedule III, schedule IV, or schedule V drugs may receive a prison sentence between one and 10 years. If someone hires people under the age of 17 to help with the distribution of the substance, this person will be charged with a felony and may also receive a five- to 20-year prison sentence.

Drug Possession

The police arrest people on drug possession charges when they are in possession of an illegal substance of any amount. If someone is convicted on drug possession charges, the state suspends the person’s driver’s license for six months for a first offense.

In addition to the suspension, the person may receive the following penalties if convicted:

Marijuana

Conviction on possession of marijuana requires the following sentences:

Hiring a Criminal Attorney

Drug possession and drug trafficking charges subject you to serious penalties. You can even lose your driving privileges, so it is important to take these charges seriously. At the The Abt Law Firm, LLC, we will represent you on drug possession or any other drug-related charges. Contact us today.

Drug Crimes & Your Child: What You Need to Know

One minute you’re finishing up chores around the house, the next you find out that your child has been arrested for a drug crime. While this news is probably a shock to your system, acting fast and hiring an experienced juvenile crimes attorney is undoubtedly the next best step. However, while you wait for what’s next, here is some helpful information you need to know.

Minimal Evidence Is Required to Make an Arrest

When an officer makes an arrest, he must establish probable cause to do so (if he doesn’t establish probable cause, the arrest is illegal). The definition of probable cause means having “reasonable grounds” to do something.

Therefore, a cop only needs to establish reasonable grounds to arrest someone. This means your child was arrested on only enough evidence to suspect that they may have committed a crime (again, assuming the officer established probable cause, something The ABT Law Firm can investigate).

However, having enough evidence to arrest someone is vastly different from having enough evidence to prove that someone committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Convictions Require Evidence that Is Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

While arrests only require probable cause, convictions require evidence that is beyond a reasonable doubt.

Beyond a reasonable doubt means the evidence is so convincing that there is no reason to doubt that the accused committed the crime.

As an experienced criminal defense firm, we have seen hundreds of cases where officers had enough evidence to make arrests, but there was nowhere near enough evidence to turn those arrests into convictions.

Therefore, your child’s arrest hardly means they will be convicted for the charge or charges made against them. This is especially true when you have experienced representation on your side.

Georgia Has No Minimum Age Requirement for Prosecution

Unfortunately, in Georgia, your child’s age is not an automatic defense for his or her actions. This reality stems from the fact that Georgia has no minimum age requirement for legal prosecution.

This means that Georgia authorities can choose to prosecute any child for any crime if they have the appropriate evidence.

However, just because prosecutors can choose to prosecute, that doesn’t mean they will. It can be argued that your child isn’t culpable for the charge made against them because they were too young to understand the repercussions of their actions.

The ABT Law Firm can make this defense against the prosecution on your behalf.

You Should Have a Lawyer at Your Child’s Arraignment

An arraignment is the first hearing your child will face if the state wishes to prosecute based on the evidence given by the arresting officer. During the arraignment, the judge will ask your child to “admit to” or “deny” the charge or charges made against him or her.

A knowledgeable and trusted juvenile defense attorney can answer this question on your child’s behalf, protecting them from having to speak in front of the court at that time.

The ABT Law Firm Is Ready to Help

If your child is facing drug charges or other criminal charges, The ABT Law Firm is ready to defend their rights. Our award-winning defense could be the difference in your child’s case, as we have helped thousands of clients through their criminal proceedings. If you’re ready to discuss your case, we’re to listen.

Call (770) 977-6105 now for a free consultation concerning your child’s case.

Common Mistakes Police Make During Drug Arrests

Cops are supposed to uphold justice by collecting evidence in a manner that maintains the integrity of the system, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. When the system fails, the accused are wrongly convicted, and that’s why The ABT Law Firm compiled a shortlist of the most common mistakes police make during drug arrests.

Incorrect Identification

Some officers mistakenly identify prescription drugs and ambiguous powders as illegal narcotics. Unfortunately, this presumption can result in the unlawful detainment of an innocent citizen, which is a bad look for police officers.

Mishandling Physical Evidence

It’s the force’s job to obtain drug samples and handle them appropriately, but some officers fail to heed the rules. For example, an officer is supposed to package and seal collected drug samples properly, but that doesn’t always happen.

While you can argue that an open container shouldn’t stop the justice system, the reality is that there is no way to prove that an improperly secured drug sample wasn’t tampered with, and for that reason, the strength of the evidence is now in question. An incorrectly packaged sample could be inadmissible in court.

Break in Chain of Custody

Chain of custody exists because, in the past, cops have been caught planting evidence. Chain of custody is the belief that every piece of evidence needs a proper paper trail that documents its sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition.

Chain of custody is important because it upholds the integrity of how evidence is treated. If a piece of evidence finds its way into a courtroom, the jurors should have no doubts about where it came from and who had access to it.

Officers can inadvertently break the chain of custody by sharing evidence with fellow officers. For example, assume an officer finds weed on a suspect. If the officer takes the weed and gives it to another officer and fails to document that interaction, the chain of custody of the weed is now in question.

Have You Been Charged?

If you or a loved one has been arrested for drug-related charges, The ABT Law Firm is ready to defend your rights. Our firm is known for taking cases to trial and for getting results for your clients!

Call (770) 977-6105 now for a free consultation for your drug case!