If You Are Facing Severe Charges, A Georgia Drug Trafficking and Intent to Distribute Lawyer Can Help
While our attitude toward drugs may be softening, the reality is that drug crimes are still aggressively prosecuted. This is especially the case with crimes involving the sale of drugs. If you have been charged with drug trafficking or intent to distribute, you could be facing very serious consequences. Before doing anything else, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced Georgia drug trafficking lawyer.
Intent to Distribute and Drug Trafficking Under Georgia Law
Both offenses involve the sale or distribution of drugs to other people. This contrasts with possession charges, where you are charged with having drugs that were solely for your personal use. The difference between an intent to distribute or trafficking charge and a simple possession charge often comes down to the number of drugs involved. However, circumstantial evidence can also be significant, such as whether some items or materials would suggest you were in possession of the drugs for purposes of distribution or trafficking.
Intent to distribute and drug trafficking are separate charges under Georgia law. Generally speaking, drug trafficking is a more severe charge than intent to distribute. However, prosecutors often “overcharge” defendants in an attempt to get them to accept a plea agreement to a lesser charge. Therefore, whether you have been charged with intent to distribute or drug trafficking, you should have a Georgia intent to distribute lawyer review your case and explain your options.
Intent to Distribute in Georgia
Generally speaking, you can be charged with intent to distribute if the amount of drugs in your possession is more than would ordinarily be for personal use, or there is circumstantial evidence such as baggies, scales, etc. However, this is a subjective determination made by police and prosecutors. In addition, they do not need to prove you sold or distributed the drugs, simply that you planned to do so. This is where circumstantial evidence can be vital to your case. A Georgia intent to distribute attorney can evaluate the prosecution’s case and identify any potential weaknesses.
Drug Trafficking in Georgia
Drug trafficking is very similar to an intent to distribute charge, with the difference that you brought the drugs from out of state, or you are in possession of a substantial amount of illegal narcotics. Again, drug trafficking is one of the most serious drug charges you can face. If you have been charged with drug trafficking, you need to contact an experienced Georgia drug trafficking lawyer as soon as possible.
Potential Penalties
The potential penalties that you face if convicted of intent to distribute or drug trafficking will depend largely on the following two factors:
- The type of drug in your possession; and
- The quantity of the drug.
Generally speaking, the “harder” the drug and the larger the quantity, the harsher the punishment will be if convicted. For example:
- Trafficking with 28-200 grams of cocaine: minimum ten years in prison and a fine of $200,000
- Trafficking with 200-400 grams of cocaine: minimum 15 years in prison a fine of $350,000
- Intent to distribute cocaine: minimum five years in prison
Other factors could affect the potential penalties, including whether you have convictions for prior drug offenses. Whatever your situation may be, you should contact an intent to distribute lawyer in Georgia as soon as possible if you are facing drug charges.
Contact Georgia Drug Trafficking Lawyer Gabe Winters
Intent to distribute and trafficking charges are the most serious drug charges you can face. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help. Call or email Georgia intent to distribute lawyer Gabe Winters to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.