Protect your rights, contact us today!
Protect your rights, contact us today!
A drug charge can carry jail time, heavy fines, and a record that follows you long after the case ends. The Law Office of Gregory Chancy defends possession, possession with intent, distribution, trafficking, and manufacturing charges, examining how the evidence was obtained and where the prosecution’s case can be challenged. Call (770) 627-3221 for a free consultation.
A drug charge can range from a misdemeanor possession case to a felony trafficking charge, and the stakes rise sharply with the type and amount of the substance involved. This page is for people facing any drug-related charge who need to understand what they are up against and how the case can be defended.
The severity of a charge depends on the substance, the weight, and the circumstances of the arrest. Many of these arrests come from task forces and multi-agency narcotics units that are well funded and determined in how they build cases. That makes the early review of how evidence was gathered one of the most important parts of the defense.
Drug charges in this state are divided by the action involved, and each one carries its own penalties and defenses. The firm defends possession, possession with intent to distribute, distribution and sale, trafficking, manufacturing, and prescription fraud. Possession involves having a controlled substance on your person or under your control. Possession with intent and distribution turn on evidence that the substance was meant for sale. Trafficking is driven by the quantity involved and carries mandatory penalties. Manufacturing covers producing or cultivating a controlled substance. The charge determines the exposure, and the facts determine the defense.
Controlled substances are sorted into five schedules, and the schedule and amount drive the charge. The list below is how those schedules break down.
Schedule | Description | Examples |
I | High potential for abuse, no accepted medical use | Heroin, LSD, certain others |
II | High abuse potential, limited accepted medical use | Cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl |
III | Lower abuse potential, accepted medical use | Anabolic steroids, ketamine, certain codeine products |
IV | Low abuse potential, accepted medical use | Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Tramadol |
V | Lowest abuse potential, accepted medical use | Certain cough preparations and antidiarrheals |
The schedule of the substance, combined with the amount and the alleged action, determines whether a charge is a misdemeanor or a felony and what penalties apply.
The schedule framework above reflects the standard federal and state classification. Confirm the exact statutory citation and any state-specific placement before publishing.
A drug case is built on how the substance was found, who it belonged to, and how the evidence was handled. Each is a place the case can be challenged. Many drug charges begin with a search, and a search that violated your rights can suppress the evidence that the whole case depends on. The defense also examines whether you actually possessed the substance or were simply near it, whether the substance was tested and identified correctly, and whether the chain of custody is intact. In some cases entrapment or an unlawful stop becomes the center of the defense. Where law enforcement induced conduct that would not otherwise have occurred, or stopped a person without a lawful basis, the resulting evidence can be challenged.
The question of possession is often more complicated than it first appears. The law distinguishes between actually having a substance and simply being near it, and proximity alone does not always establish control. When more than one person had access to a vehicle or a space, the prosecution has to show who actually possessed the substance, and that gap can be the heart of the defense. The reliability of the lab testing that identifies a substance, and the paperwork that tracks it from seizure to court, are examined just as closely. An attorney reviews each of these points for the openings that lead to a reduction or dismissal.
Drug cases cover a range of specific charges, and the firm handles dedicated defense for each. These include:
If you are unsure how your charge is classified, call (770) 627-3221.
A private attorney gives a drug case dedicated time and builds the defense around how the evidence was obtained, which is often where these cases turn. The Law Office of Gregory Chancy takes drug charges directly, reviews the search and the evidence in each one, and looks for alternatives such as treatment-based resolutions where they apply.
For many people facing a first charge, the question is not only how to defend the case but how to avoid the lasting damage of a conviction. Depending on the charge and the record, options such as a treatment program, a diversion track, or a reduction to a lesser offense may be available, and each can change the long-term outcome. The right approach depends on the specific facts, the substance and amount involved, and the person’s history. Reviewing all of this early is what makes those alternatives possible. Call (770) 627-3221 or use the contact form to start.
In addition to possession charges, we handle cases involving distribution, trafficking, manufacturing, and prescription fraud. Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and building a strong defense against any drug-related allegations.
Gregory Chancy, Esq. is the attorney and founder of the Law Office of Gregory Chancy. He guides clients through the legal process with personal attention, and he is available for free consultations. A drug charge can carry lasting consequences, and Gregory takes the time to understand each case and to explain the options at every stage.
Stay calm, exercise your right to remain silent, and do not give a statement to law enforcement without a lawyer present. Then contact a defense attorney as soon as possible so the case can be reviewed before it moves forward.
Yes. Drug cases can fall under state or federal jurisdiction depending on the substance, the quantity, and whether the activity crossed state lines. Federal charges carry their own penalties, so it matters to have a defense familiar with both systems.
Marijuana use for specific medicinal purposes has been legalized in Georgia. Also, only marijuana oil is legalized for medical use, and only up to 20 ml may be purchased at one time.
A drug charge can be reduced or dismissed depending on how the evidence was obtained and whether possession can be proven. An unlawful search or a broken chain of custody can undermine the prosecution’s case.
Not always. Depending on the charge and the record, alternatives such as treatment programs or diversion may be available in place of jail. The options depend on the specific charge and the facts of the case.
The Law Office of Gregory Chancy handles drug charges across its service area. Call (770) 627-3221 to confirm the office covers your area and to set up a free consultation.
A drug charge is most defensible when the evidence is reviewed early, so the sooner the case is examined, the more options stay open. Call (770) 627-3221 or send a message for a free consultation with a drug crime lawyer.
To safeguard against heavy-handed punishment, your Criminal Defense Lawyer may negotiate alternative sentencing options with the prosecution such as a drug treatment program instead of jail time. Criminal Defense Attorney will always present EVERY offer made to you so that you are informed of all of your options. We are your advisors and best legal defense!
At The Law Office of Gregory Chancy we service Northern Metro Atlanta including Bartow, Cobb, Cherokee, Fulton, Paulding County. We have strong relationships with local law enforcement and prosecutors which means the best possible results for our clients!
If you have questions about your case or need immediate legal assistance, please complete the confidential contact form.