Marijuana Possession / Sale

Arrested for Marijuana? Call Lawyer Michael M. Sheffield

In the state of Georgia, possession of an ounce or more of marijuana is a felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison. Additionally, there are a number of mandatory minimum sentences that attach in cases involving 10 pounds or more of marijuana. It's also quite common for the government to initiate a criminal forfeiture proceeding against persons suspected of drug trafficking. Under state and federal law, the government can seize any assets or property it believes a defendant acquired from the proceeds of illegal drug activity.

At the criminal defense law office of Michael M. Sheffield, we aggressively defend people accused of trafficking in or possessing marijuana. Informants are often looking to cut a deal to save their own necks; it's not uncommon for big marijuana busts to rest on shaky testimony and questionable police tactics.

Don't let the government pressure you into accepting a deal or losing your home over charges of marijuana possession. To schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact drug trafficking attorney Michael M. Sheffield today.

Penalties for Marijuana Possession and Trafficking

In the state of Georgia, those convicted of marijuana possession face the following penalties:

Possession

• Less than one ounce: First offense - no jail, no fine, placed on probation. Second offense - 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine.
• More than one ounce: 1 to 10 years in prison and a fine determined by the court. If arrested within a thousand feet of a school: up to 20 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. If arrested for a second time within a thousand feet of a school: 5 years mandatory minimum prison time and up to $40,000 in fines.

Trafficking or the Sale of Marijuana

• Ten pounds or less: 1 to 10 years in prison; no fine.
• Ten pounds to two thousand pounds: 5 year mandatory minimum prison sentence and up to $100,000 in fines.
• Two thousand to ten thousand pounds: 7 year mandatory minimum prison sentence and $250,000 in fines.

If phones or other communication equipment is used in the sale or possession of marijuana, additional charges attach. If a minor is used in the sale or trafficking of marijuana, a 5 year mandatory minimum prison sentence attaches.

Fighting the Charges against You

Just because marijuana is found in your car, home, or on your property doesn't mean it's yours. Too often, prosecutors charge home and car owners with marijuana possession when a relative, neighbor, or family member is to blame. In this regard, it's important to remember that investigators cannot make legally binding deals for the state. Just because an investigator tells you, "we'll drop the drug trafficking charges if you admit the weed we found in your car was yours," doesn't mean the prosecutor has to. These kinds of tactics are often used by investigators to get people to talk.

Contact Marijuana Possession Attorney Michael M. Sheffield Today

While we're prepared to go to trial and expose unconstitutional practices and questionable police work, Mr. Sheffield is also a skilled negotiator who understands how to structure a plea. If the charges against you are not in dispute, a plea bargain may be your only hope of reducing the charges or sentence against you. It may be possible to effectively challenge and overturn mandatory sentences under such cases as United States vs. Booker and Blakely vs. Washington.

To schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact marijuana possession and drug trafficking attorney Michael M. Sheffield today.