Being found in possession of drugs is always a serious situation to be in, especially in the state of Georgia, where drug charges tend to be particularly harsh. Therefore, if you have found out that your son or daughter is facing a drug charge as a young adult, it is understandable that you will be feeling particularly concerned.
As a parent of a young adult who is facing drug charges, it is a good idea to learn about the typical charges associated with certain drug crimes. It is particularly important to pay attention to the consequences of committing drug crimes in the state in which the young person committed the crime. This article will focus on the drug possession laws in the state of Georgia.
The consequences of drug possession in Georgia
One of the most important things to note about drug crimes is in relation to how they are punished. The two defining factors that heavily influence the charges a defendant will face is the type of drug that was found in his or her possession, and how much of the drug was found in his or her possession.
The type of drug will play a large part in how serious the charge will be. For example, possession of less than 1 oz. of marijuana is punishable with a $1,000 fine and 1 year in prison. However heroin possession charges can be much more serious.
If a certain type of drug was found in the possession of a person, and the individual had an excessive amount of the drug, he or she will be charged with possession with the intent to sell rather than just simply with possession. This is because it is assumed that a person with an excessive amount of a drug will not only be using it for personal use. The exact amount that constitutes possession with the intent to sell is a predefined amount, but it is specific to the particular type of drug.
If you are concerned about your child’s drug use and potential charges, it is important to be prepared and understand the law. Alternative sentencing programs can offer hope for those with drug addictions.