Drug possession with intent to distribute is a common crime in Georgia, but what exactly happens when charged with such a crime?
For starters, this is a felony offense that can lead to huge fines and years in prison if convicted. You could also face the suspension of your driver’s license, community service, loss of property, loss of firearms privileges, loss of voting privileges, inability to find a job and probation.
Most intent to distribute charges come when a person is found to have a substantial amount of drugs on one’s person that would be too much for personal consumption.
When it comes to determining intent to distribute, the amount of drugs on your person is not the only deciding factor. The other factors include:
– The weight of the drugs.
– Plastic baggies in your possession to package the drugs.
– Large quantities of unclaimed cash on your person.
Being charged with intent to distribute is not always an immediate prison sentence. There are ways to beat the charge, but you should not attempt to do it on your own.
The first way you can attempt to beat an intent to distribute charge in Georgia is by filing a motion to suppress. This is filed when the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the drugs comes into question. For example, did the police search your person, vehicle or home without probably cause or a search warrant? Did you fail to consent to a search, but one was still conducted? If you answer yes to any of these questions, a motion to suppress should be filed in order to discredit illegally obtained evidence.
There is also the possibility that you can get the charges filed against you reduced. Sometimes heavy charges are filed right off the bat in a leverage effort. Prosecutors will use these heavier charges to obtain information on other dealers or buyers or have you plead guilty to a lesser charge.
An experienced criminal attorney in Cumming, Georgia, can answer all of your questions regarding drug charges, specifically intent to distribute.