Being charged with a drug crime in Atlanta is a serious matter that has the potential to impact nearly every aspect of your life. In addition to facing penalties that include heavy fines and a mandatory jail sentence, the effect of these charges on your record could prevent you from getting a job or being eligible to obtain a loan. Get professional legal help for drug charges in Atlanta and call the Law Office of Thomas, Webb, and Willis, LLC today. We provide the experienced, aggressive legal representation you need to ensure your rights and best interests are protected.
The name ecstasy is actually a slang term for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA. According to the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), MDMA is also commonly referred to as “Molly,” and it is a synthetic drug that has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. Under Chapter 13 of the Official Code of the Georgia Assembly (OCGA), ecstasy is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, and laws associated with its possession, use, and distribution include the following:
Drug possession charges involve amounts meant for personal use, while distribution is defined by Georgia law as the intent to deliver a controlled substance to others. Simple possession and possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy is classified under Section 16-13-30 of the Georgia Code. Possession of the drug itself carries a jail sentence of between three and 15 years depending on the quantity of the drug, while distributing ecstasy could result result in up to 30 years for a first conviction, and up to 40 years or life for any subsequent convictions.
Georgia law considers drug manufacturing as including both the production of the drug itself, as well as its preparation for use or sale, such as compounding it with other substances or packaging it for distribution. Under O.C.G.A. 16-13-30, the manufacture of ecstasy is a felony, and depending on the amount of the drug you are accused of manufacturing, you could be facing anywhere from a five to 15-year sentence for a first time conviction. A second conviction for manufacturing ecstasy could result in incarceration for up to 40 years or more.
Drug trafficking deals with the intent to deliver and distribute drugs, but generally is applied to larger quantities and involves more severe penalties. Under Section 16-13-31.1 of the Georgia Code, penalties for trafficking in ecstasy can range from a minimum sentence of 10 years and fines of $200,000, up to 25 years’ imprisonment and fines of $1 million, depending on the amount of drugs on your property or in your position at the time of your arrest. In addition, you could be facing federal drug charges from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) if your charges involve distributing ecstasy across state lines.
If you or someone you care about is facing criminal drug charges, you need legal representation from a lawyer with knowledge and experience to help you strategize your best course of defense. Get the professional legal help you need for drug charges in Atlanta and contact the Law Office of Thomas, Webb, and Willis, LLC today. The sooner you have a strong legal advocate on your side protecting your rights and interests, the better your chances for success will be. Call (404) 250-1113 or contact our office online to speak with one of our criminal defense lawyers today.
Many people arrested for DUI feel as though they have already been pronounced guilty of a crime. If you have been charged with DUI, you should speak with expert DUI attorney Thomas J. Thomas.
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