Individuals in Georgia and most other states who are caught trying to sell a controlled substance will likely be taken into custody. Those who attempt to sell marijuana may also face penalties even though it has been approved for medical and limited recreational use in some parts of the country. The penalties that a person will face depend largely on the type of substance that he or she was trying to sell.
State statutes also take into consideration the amount of cocaine, heroin or other substances a person attempted to distribute. Those who are found with large amounts of cocaine or other illegal substances may be charged with drug trafficking even if they never intended to sell anything. Individuals who are deemed to be in possession of an illegal substance without intent to sell may be given a citation or face a misdemeanor charge as opposed to a felony.
A person who is charged with felony drug distribution or trafficking charges may spend up to life in prison. That individual may also face a fine of up to $250,000 for being in possession of drugs such as cocaine or heroin. In Texas, a person who is found with between 200 and 400 grams of cocaine could spend up to 99 years in prison and pay a fine of up to $100,000.
Individuals who are facing misdemeanor or felony drug charges may experience financial or other types of hardships if they are convicted. An attorney may be able to get a case dismissed by casting doubt on physical evidence or other information presented at a preliminary hearing or during a trial. Casting doubt on evidence may also be enough to negotiate a plea deal that may allow a person to avoid jail time or paying a large fine.
