A man from Guatemala was arrested last month at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport when U.S. officers discovered two packages of heroin hidden inside the man’s luggage. The heroin packages were found inside a coffee bag that appeared to be factor sealed. The packages weighed approximately one kilogram and were discovered during a routine baggage search. The 39-year-old who had possession of the heroin was arrested and turned over to the local authorities.
Possession of Heroin in Georgia
Georgia laws do not take possession of opioid drugs, including heroin, lightly. Because of the current heroin crisis in the United States, Georgia is trying its best to do its part in fixing the issue. Part of that effort has been geared toward severe punishments in the court system, although that does very little to address the addiction that is often at the heart of the problem.
If you are facing charges for possession of heroin, it is important that you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney that can work to reduce the ramifications of such a charge as early as possible. Simply ignoring your charges or delaying work on a good defense strategy could result in a hearing at which you and your attorney are not properly prepared. By knowing the consequences you could be facing, you can understand why having a good defense strategy is important.
Harsh Penalties
The charges you will face depend on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. One of those determining factors is how much heroin you had in your possession when you were arrested. If you have over four grams of heroin, your charges will fall under trafficking. The minimum sentence in this case is five years in prison. If you have 14 to 28 grams of heroin in your possession, the mandatory minimum penalty increased to 10 years in prison. Having over 28 grams of heroin in your possession results in a minimum prison sentence of 25 years.
If you are arrested for selling heroin, this is a felony charge and comes with a sentence of five to 30 years in prison. If it is not your first conviction for selling heroin, you could spend the rest of your life in prison as a result of your charges. Even having possession of heroin for your own use is a felony and will result in two to 15 years in prison for your first offense, and the penalties increase to five to 30 years for subsequent convictions.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Regardless of the kind of heroin charges you may be facing, you still have rights. One of these is the right to have an attorney represent you and plan a strategy for your defense against the charges you are facing. Be certain that you start working early on with an attorney so you know what your options are and can make decisions that you feel are in your best interests. The attorneys at Lankford & Moore Law have years of experience helping protect our clients’ rights. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
