What Are the Consequences of Possession with Intent in Cobb County?

Did you know that in Cobb County, Georgia, possession with intent to distribute drugs carries much harsher penalties than simple drug possession? If you have been charged with this serious offense, it is critical to understand the potential consequences and how an experienced criminal defense attorney can fight for your rights.

Possession with Intent Defined

Under Georgia law, possession with intent to distribute means a person is accused of not only possessing an illegal controlled substance but also intending to sell, distribute, or share those drugs with others. Prosecutors look at several factors to determine intent, such as:

• The quantity of drugs found
• How the drugs were packaged
• Presence of scales, baggies, or large amounts of cash
• Incriminating statements made by the defendant

Even if you were not actively selling drugs, these factors can lead prosecutors to charge you with possession with intent, a felony offense.

Strict Mandatory Minimum Sentences

One of the most serious consequences of a possession with intent conviction in Cobb County is the mandatory minimum sentencing structure. This means that if convicted, a judge has no choice but to sentence you to a minimum prison term, even if you have no prior criminal record.

For example, possession with intent to distribute cocaine carries the following mandatory minimums:

• Less than 1 gram: 1 year in prison
• 1-4 grams: 5 years in prison
• 4-28 grams: 10 years in prison
• 28-200 grams: 25 years in prison
• 200-400 grams: 30 years in prison
• Over 400 grams: Life in prison

This strict sentencing, with no chance for parole or early release, makes it essential to have a skilled criminal defense lawyer who will fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Other Impacts of a Felony Drug Conviction

Beyond prison time, a felony drug conviction for possession with intent can have ripple effects across all aspects of your life, including:

• A permanent felony record that shows up on background checks
• Difficulty finding employment
• Ineligibility for certain professional licenses
• Disqualification from public housing and other government benefits
• Prohibition from owning a firearm
• If not a U.S. citizen, deportation and inadmissibility to reenter the country

The stigma and limitations of a felony conviction can follow you long after you complete your sentence. This makes it critical to fight the charges with all possible defenses.

Potential Defenses to Possession with Intent

An experienced possession with intent attorney will carefully review all the facts of your case to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments. Some common defense strategies include:

• Challenging the legality of the traffic stop or search that led to finding the drugs
• Arguing there is insufficient evidence to prove intent to distribute
• Demonstrating drugs belonged to someone else, and you had no knowledge of them
• Negotiating a plea deal to lesser charges
• Pursuing options like drug court or other alternative sentencing programs

Get an Aggressive Defense from Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C.

Being charged with possession with intent may make you feel stressed and overwhelmed, but you do not have to face this alone. Andrew L. Schwartz is an accomplished criminal defense attorney who knows how to protect your constitutional rights. He will leverage his extensive trial experience to build a robust defense on your behalf.

The sooner you contact us, the more time our Cobb County criminal lawyers have to start crafting your defense strategy. Call (678) 853-2500 today for a confidential consultation.

Source:

law.georgia.gov/