In Valdosta, Georgia, drug crimes can result in felony charges depending on the type and amount of drugs involved.
Felony drug charges carry severe consequences, including long prison sentences, hefty fines and a criminal record that can affect a person’s future employment, housing, and education opportunities.
What does the law say?
Under Georgia law, drug crimes are categorized into five schedules based on their potential for abuse, medical use and dependence.
Schedule I drugs, which include heroin, LSD and ecstasy, have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Schedule II drugs, which have a high potential for abuse but are accepted for medical use, include cocaine, methamphetamine and oxycodone.
Possession of any amount of a Schedule I or II drugs is considered a felony in Valdosta. The severity of the felony charge depends on the quantity of the drug involved. For example, possession of less than one gram of cocaine is a felony, while possession of more than 28 grams is considered trafficking and carries harsher penalties.
Other charges that are considered felonies
In addition to possession, other drug crimes that can result in felony charges in Valdosta include possession with intent to distribute, distribution and trafficking. Possession with intent to distribute means that a person possessed a drug intending to sell or distribute it. Distribution means that a person sells, gives away or distributes a drug to another person. Trafficking refers to manufacturing, distributing or possessing a certain quantity of drugs, as defined by Georgia law.
The penalties for felony drug charges in Valdosta can be severe. For example, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute can result in a prison sentence of 10-30 years and fines of up to $1 million. Trafficking charges can carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 5-25 years and fines up to $1 million.
Know your legal rights when facing drug charges
If you have been charged with a felony drug crime, it is important to know your legal rights. This will ensure you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.