When it comes to opioid drugs like heroin, Georgia laws are harsh. There is an opioid crisis across the United States and Georgia is doing its part to help fix the issue. This effort often appears in the form of severe punishments dished out by the criminal justice system.
This is why if you are facing criminal charges for heroin, you need to seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible. Trying to ignore your charges or delaying a defense strategy could have severe consequences for you.
Harsh Penalties for Heroin
The charges that you will face will be determined by the circumstances surrounding your arrest. One of these factors is how much heroin you possessed when you were arrested. More than four grams will result in trafficking charges, which will result in a mandatory sentence of five years in prison. If you have between 14 to 28 grams the penalty increases to 10 years in prison. More than 28 grams will earn you a minimum of 25 years behind bars.
Selling heroin is also a major crime. This is a felony charge and will result in five to 30 years behind bars. Subsequent charges could result in live in prison. Even possessing heroin for your own personal use has harsh penalties. You will face a minimum of two to 15 years in prison even if it is your first conviction. Subsequent charges come with an extended sentence of five to 30 years behind bars.
Juveniles and Heroin Charges
Just because you are a juvenile does not mean you will not face penalties under Georgia laws. If you are facing charges as a juvenile you could be sentenced to a diversion program, or tried as an adult, depending on how severe your case is.
Rights and Defenses
Regardless of the type of heroin charge you are dealing with, you have rights under Georgia law. One of these is the right to have an attorney represent you and defend you against the charges you are facing. To develop the best defense strategy it is important that you begin working with your attorney as quickly as possible.
No two charges are the same and because of this, they should never be handled with the same strategy by your attorney. Your defense strategy should be based on the specific facts of your case. Whether it is working out a favorable plea agreement or challenging the evidence against you, an experienced criminal defense attorney will strive to get you the best possible results.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you are facing charges related to heroin or other drugs, contact the attorneys at Lankford & Moore Law today to schedule a consultation. Our attorneys will review your case with you, advise you of your legal rights and options, and develop the best possible defense strategy for your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and if you are in jail, no worries. We frequently visit our clients while they are incarcerated.
