More Than 30 Years of Experience 770-515-0951
More Than 30 Years of Experience 770-515-0951
Being arrested for a drug crime can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. A conviction of any level can have lasting impacts on your life. If you are facing a charge, a Griffin, GA, drug crime lawyer can advocate for you through this difficult period.
Our team at Miller North & Brill has spent decades representing the people of Griffin, Spalding County, and the rest of Georgia in their drug crime cases. Our founding attorney, Suesan A. Miller, has litigated over one hundred jury trial cases. Her legal accomplishments have been recognized by various institutions, including being named one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Georgia by National Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers in Atlanta Magazine.
Drug crimes are some of the most common criminal charges in Georgia, accounting for 36.7% of all sentenced individuals in 2023. The arrest rate in the state depends on the type of controlled substances involved. As of August 2025, the marijuana arrest rate was 9.14 per 100,000 compared to the national figure of 5.58 per 100,000. For narcotics and other types of drug charges, incidents are either lower or comparable to country-wide data.
Drug crime charges are handled through the Spalding County Superior Court, located at 132 E Solomon St, Griffin, GA 30223.
Drug crime laws in Georgia encompass a variety of misdemeanors and felonies, ranging from simple possession of a small bit of controlled substance to large-scale trafficking operations. The following are a few types of drug crime cases Miller North & Brill can handle:
Possession in Georgia is defined as a person owning, purchasing, or having control over a controlled substance. This does not require a drug to be on your person; it could be in your car or home, or it could have some other direct connection.
Penalties depend on the schedule level of the substance in possession, the amount, and previous convictions. Prison times range from one to three years for less than a gram to two to 30 years for multiple offenses of a larger amount. The only non-felony possession charge in Georgia is less than an ounce of marijuana, which is classified as a misdemeanor with up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to one thousand dollars.
O.C.G.A. 16-13-30 (b) makes it unlawful to manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, sell, or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Accusations of selling, or planning to sell, an illicit drug come with higher potential prison time. A first offense can result in five to 30 years’ imprisonment. For any additional guilty verdicts, the courts may sentence you to 10 to 40 years or even life in prison.
Trafficking is a more severe charge for possessing, distributing, or manufacturing drugs in larger amounts. Unlike distribution, there is no requirement to prove intent to sell. For each substance, the drug crime penalties vary, depending on the substance and quantity. The minimum amount for marijuana trafficking is ten pounds, while only four grams of fentanyl can lead to trafficking charges.
Penalties are based on the type of drug and its amount, with different accompanying fines and jail terms. Marijuana trafficking carries the lightest penalties, with mandatory minimum prison sentences of five, seven, or 17 years and fines between $100,000 and up to one million dollars. The same three tiers for fentanyl are 10, 15, 25, or 35 years of imprisonment and fines starting at $75,000 and ending at $750,000.
A drug charge at any level can result in years in prison. With the stakes so high, it is recommended that you hire a drug crime lawyer. Your drug crime attorney in Griffin, GA can fight for you during each stage of your case, from the initial booking to your final court verdict.
If you feel guilty or a conviction seems likely, your drug crime lawyer from Miller North & Brill can fight to mitigate its impact on your life. A plea bargain can shorten your time spent in prison, lower your fines, and change the charges on your record to lesser crimes.
How much your Georgia drug crime attorney costs depends on the severity of the accusations against you, the complexity of your case, and the work hours it requires. A simple possession charge for a first-time offender tends to be cheaper than a drug trafficking charge with multiple parties involved. Miller North & Brill offers initial consultations, during which we can discuss our fees.
The amount in your possession to qualify as trafficking in Georgia depends on the type of controlled substance. For marijuana, the minimum is ten pounds with a penalty of at least five years in prison. The strictest guidelines are for fentanyl, where possession of four grams can be sentenced as trafficking, with a mandatory ten years of imprisonment.
In Georgia, the possession of any amount of most controlled substances is classified as a felony. The only exception is for an ounce or less of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor punishable with up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of $1,000. Any other possession of a scheduled drug is a felony, with the corresponding penalties based on the quantity and whether there is an intent to sell.
First-time drug offenders can go to prison in Georgia based on the type of charges they face. If you plead guilty to a misdemeanor involving small amounts of controlled substances, you may avoid a jail sentence. Felony charges, especially with the intent to distribute, can lead to incarceration, even if you have no criminal history. Your drug crime attorney can evaluate your case and provide expectations for whether a jail or prison sentence is likely.
Contact us today for a consultation, where we can learn your story and explore potential legal strategies for your case.
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McDonough, GA 30253
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