Defending Teens in Georgia Drug Cases
In the quickly evolving world, today's teen have many more opportunities than their parents did. Although some of those opportunities are good, many are not. Many students have easy access to drugs, causing juvenile drug crimes to rise. However, despite the easy accessibility, the consequences have not dwindled at all.
If a teen in your life was caught with drugs, it is important to work with an attorney who will help you fight the charges and understand the options available. At the Juvenile Law Group, we work with teens and their families throughout Atlanta, Georgia, and the surrounding areas. Contact our firm online or call 404-633-3797 or toll free 866-719-3420 to schedule your appointment with an experienced lawyer.
Juvenile Drug Crimes
Because consequences for juvenile drug crimes are lower than those for adults, many teens are scapegoated into unfairly receiving the punishment for an older sibling or gang member's drug use. Even possession of a small amount of marijuana is enough for a police officer to press charges.
At the Juvenile Law Group, we defend teens who are facing charges for:
- Possession
- Possession with intent to sell
- Trafficking
- Possession of paraphernalia, scales or packaging
Our lawyers have represented clients facing charges involving marijuana, meth, cocaine, heroin, household substances and prescription drugs.
Consequences for Adjudication
Adjudication (the equivalent of a conviction) carries a range of consequences. In some instances, a diversion program with a drug court may be used in conjunction with probation. If a teen is charged with selling drugs, they may be facing time in a Resident Youth Detention Center (RYDC) or in a Youth Development Center (YDC). The length of probation typically varies with the severity of the crime, but it can last for up to two years. Some juvenile drug crimes are also termed as designated felonies, often carrying one to five years of time in a youth center.
Suppression of Evidence
Because of the increasing stakes in drug crimes, scrutiny and oversight of the searches and interrogations by the police is of utmost importance. A motion to suppress a juvenile's statements or evidence found through a search is often the first line of defense. It is necessary to analyze the evidentiary issues and how a teen was treated in the obtaining of evidence of drug crimes. Evidence may be suppressible if the police did not conduct a search or interrogation in accordance with our laws and the Constitution.
If you are a teen who is facing charges, or if you are worried about the charges your son or daughter is facing, contact an experienced lawyer to help. We can help minimize the long-term effect of the charges. Our attorneys help parents and teens work together to find the best solution for your situation. Contact our firm online or call 404-633-3797 or toll free 866-719-3420 to schedule your appointment.
