Gwinnett County Drug Crimes Attorneys

Georgia vigorously prosecutes drug cases, and the penalties can be harsh. It is important to hire a serious and aggressive criminal defense attorney. aThe drug crimes lawyers in Gwinnett County at Crawford and Boyle, LLC, are based in Monroe and represent clients throughout Walton and Clarke Counties. We help clients accused of drug crimes that range from simple possession to trafficking.

Call (678) 726-5400 or contact us online to discuss your case with a Gwinnett County drug crimes lawyer in our office.

Types of Drug Crimes in Georgia

We represent clients charged with drug crimes, including:

• Possession
• Possession with intent to sell
• Sale of a controlled substance
• Trafficking or manufacturing
• Prescription forgery

Unfortunately, police may conduct an illegal search without a warrant to gather evidence. If you are facing charges for a drug crime, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to perform a thorough investigation and challenge any potential misconduct that may have taken place when gathering evidence.

What are the Penalties for Drug Crimes in Georgia?

A conviction can severely impact your life and career, causing you to lose your job, driver’s license, family, and even your kids. Some of the penalties you could be facing are lengthy prison sentences, large fines and more. State and federal law is designed to “crack down” on drug offenses and Georgia has some of the harshest punishments in the country for drug crime convictions. For these reasons, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to fight for you and defend your rights.

Defending Against Drug Charges

Being charged with a drug crime in Georgia can have serious consequences, including fines, probation, and even jail time. It is crucial to have a skilled and experienced drug crimes lawyer on your side to defend your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

At Crawford and Boyle, LLC, our Gwinnett County drug crimes lawyer has a proven track record of success in defending clients facing a variety of drug charges. We understand the complexities of drug laws in Georgia and will work tirelessly to build a strong defense strategy tailored to your unique situation.

Our drug crimes defense services include:

• Legal representation in court hearings
• Negotiation with prosecutors for reduced charges or penalties
• Investigation of the circumstances surrounding your arrest
• Expert witness testimony

Don't face drug charges alone. Contact our Gwinnett County drug crimes lawyer today to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.

Common Defenses Against Drug Crime Charges

Defending against drug crime charges often involves several common strategies, each tailored to the specifics of the case. Here are some of the most frequently used defenses:

• Unlawful Search and Seizure: The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement officers conducted a search without a valid warrant, probable cause, or consent, any evidence obtained during that search might be inadmissible in court. This exclusionary rule can result in the dismissal of charges if the evidence is crucial to the prosecution's case.
• Lack of Possession: To secure a conviction for drug possession, the prosecution must prove that the defendant knowingly possessed the controlled substance. If the drugs were found in a shared space, such as a vehicle or a house with multiple occupants, the defense can argue that the drugs did not belong to the defendant and that they had no knowledge of their presence.
• Entrapment: Entrapment occurs when law enforcement officers induce a person to commit a crime that they otherwise would not have committed. If the defense can demonstrate that the defendant was coerced or persuaded by the police to engage in illegal activity, and that the defendant was not predisposed to commit the crime, this can be a viable defense.
• Chain of Custody Issues: The prosecution must establish a clear and unbroken chain of custody for the drug evidence. If there are gaps or discrepancies in how the evidence was handled, stored, or documented, it can raise doubts about the integrity of the evidence. This might lead to the evidence being excluded from the trial.
• Lack of Intent or Knowledge: In some drug cases, especially those involving distribution or trafficking, the prosecution must prove that the defendant had the intent to distribute or sell the drugs. The defense can argue that the defendant lacked this intent or was unaware that the substances were illegal drugs.
• Medical Necessity: In jurisdictions where medical marijuana or other controlled substances are legal for medical use, a defendant might argue that their possession or use of the drug was for legitimate medical purposes. This defense typically requires substantial evidence, such as a prescription or a doctor’s recommendation.
• Duress or Coercion: If the defendant committed the alleged drug crime under duress or coercion, meaning they were forced to do so under threat of harm, this can serve as a defense. This often requires convincing evidence of the threats and the absence of reasonable alternatives.
• Violation of Miranda Rights: If the defendant was not properly informed of their Miranda rights (the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney) before being interrogated while in custody, any self-incriminating statements made during the interrogation might be excluded from evidence.
• Mishandling of Evidence: If the prosecution’s evidence was mishandled, contaminated, or otherwise compromised, the defense can argue that it should be deemed unreliable and excluded from the trial. This can occur if the evidence was improperly stored, tampered with, or tested incorrectly.
• Insufficient Evidence: The defense can argue that the prosecution has not met its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This might involve challenging the credibility of witnesses, the reliability of forensic tests, or the overall sufficiency of the evidence presented.

Contact Our Gwinnett County Drug Crimes Lawyer Today

Our drug crimes attorneys in Gwinnett County are former prosecutors with more than 50 combined years of experience. This experience has proven valuable to many of our clients, since our firm has a wider vantage point of the criminal justice system in Georgia. Our lawyers view cases from every angle and use their knowledge of the types of arguments used by prosecutors to develop effective defense strategies for our clients.

If you were arrested for a drug crime, contact our law firm at (678) 726-5400 to schedule an appointment to meet with an attorney.