Hinesville Drug Possession Lawyer

Defending Against Drug Possession Charges in Southeast Georgia

Being charged with drug possession can have serious consequences on your life. If you are found guilty, you may face steep fines and long jail sentences. You may also have problems getting a job or renting a place to live. You need a strong advocate who will work to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome for your case. Our team at Pirkle & Pirkle is here to provide you with the aggressive representation you need to defend yourself against drug possession charges.

When you are arrested in areas like Jesup or elsewhere in Liberty County, your case may move quickly from the local jail to court, and early decisions can affect everything from bond to how evidence is presented. We take time to explain the process in clear terms, discuss what to expect at hearings in local courts, and help you understand the choices you will need to make at each stage. If you are searching for a drug possession attorney Jesup residents can turn to for guidance, we want you to feel informed and supported from the first conversation.

Call (912) 205-5038 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation with our experienced drug possession lawyers 

Georgia Drug Possession Penalties

The penalties for drug possession in Georgia depend on the type and amount of drug found in your possession. If you are found guilty, you may be sentenced to jail time, probation, fines, and other penalties. Below are some examples of penalties for drug possession in Georgia.

Penalties for drug possession include:

• Marijuana possession: If you are found in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, you may face a $300 fine and up to 1 year in jail
• Possession of a Schedule II drug: If you are found in possession of a Schedule II drug, you may face a $1,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison
• Possession of a Schedule III drug: If you are found in possession of a Schedule III drug, you may face a $1,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison
• Possession of a Schedule IV drug: If you are found in possession of a Schedule IV drug, you may face a $1,000 fine and up to 1 year in prison
• Possession of a Schedule V drug: If you are found in possession of a Schedule V drug, you may face a $500 fine and up to 6 months in prison

If you are found in possession of a drug in a larger amount, you may face more serious penalties. If you are found guilty of possessing a drug in a larger amount, you could face steep fines, long jail sentences, and other penalties. It is important to have a strong advocate who will work to get the best possible outcome for your case.

Sentencing in a Georgia drug case can also be affected by factors such as prior convictions, whether the charge is tied to an allegation of intent to distribute, and whether the arrest occurred in a school zone or other protected area. A conviction in Liberty County State Court or Superior Court can leave you with a permanent criminal record that affects housing, licensing, and education opportunities long after any jail or probation ends. We work to identify options such as conditional discharge, diversion, or treatment-based resolutions when the law and facts support them, and we guide you through how these choices might impact your future.

How Does Drug Possession Work in Georgia?

In Georgia, you can be found guilty of drug possession even if you did not know the drug was in your possession. For example, if you find a bag of drugs in your car and are unaware that it is there, you can still be found guilty of drug possession. In order to be found guilty of drug possession in Georgia, the prosecution must prove that you had knowledge of the drug and the intent to possess it.

The prosecution generally must establish several elements to prove drug possession in Georgia::

• Knowledge of the substance by showing you were aware the substance was present and that it was illegal or controlled
• Control over the drugs by demonstrating you had the ability to exercise control over where the drugs were located or how they were handled
• Intent to possess by using your words, actions, or surrounding circumstances to argue that you meant to keep or use the drugs
• Connection to the location such as a vehicle, home, or bag, which prosecutors use to try to link the drugs directly to you

The prosecution must prove that you knew the drug was in your possession. For example, if you found a bag of drugs in your car and did not know it was there, you cannot be found guilty of drug possession. However, if you knew the drug was in your car and did nothing to get rid of it, you can be found guilty of drug possession. The prosecution must also prove that you had the intent to possess the drug. For example, if you found a bag of drugs in your car and immediately reported it to the police, you could not be found guilty of drug possession because you did not have the intent to possess the drug.

If you are found in possession of a drug without knowledge of the drug or intent to possess it, you may face charges for a different crime. For example, if you found a bag of drugs in your car and did not know it was there, you may be charged with "possessing a lost or abandoned property." This is because you did not know the drug was in your possession and did not have the intent to possess it. However, if you knew the drug was in your car and did nothing to get rid of it, you may be charged with drug possession. It is important to have a strong advocate who will fight to prove that you did not have knowledge of the drug or intent to possess it.

Drug possession cases in Georgia often turn on how evidence was found and whether law enforcement followed the rules for searches, traffic stops, and questioning. We carefully review police reports, dashcam or body camera footage, and any statements that were taken to see if your rights were violated under state law or the United States Constitution. When we represent someone looking for a drug possession attorney Liberty County defendants can rely on, we focus on whether there are grounds to challenge the stop, search, or seizure that led to the arrest.

Common Drug Possession Defenses We May Use

When we review your case, we look for specific legal and factual defenses that fit what happened during your arrest and investigation. The right defense strategy depends on details like where you were stopped, how officers searched you or your vehicle, and what you said during any questioning. By understanding how judges in local courts such as Liberty County Superior Court and nearby municipal courts tend to handle these issues, we can tailor our approach to the circumstances of your case.

Some defenses that may be available in a drug possession case include::

• Challenging the stop if officers did not have a valid reason to pull you over or detain you before finding any drugs
• Attacking the search when law enforcement went beyond the limits of a warrant or searched without proper consent or legal justification
• Questioning possession by arguing that the drugs did not belong to you or that you did not have control over where they were found
• Suppressing statements if your rights were not read properly or if you were pressured into saying something involuntarily
• Raising chain-of-custody issues when there are gaps or problems with how the evidence was handled or tested

We walk you through which defenses apply to your situation, what evidence we will need, and how these arguments might be presented in negotiations or at trial. If you are considering hiring a drug possession lawyer Jesup residents trust, it can be helpful to talk with us early so we can start preserving evidence, contacting witnesses, and protecting your rights from the beginning of the case.

Contact Our Drug Possession Attorney in Hinesville Today

Being charged with drug possession can be stressful and overwhelming. You need someone who will work to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome for your case. Our team at Pirkle & Pirkle is here to provide you with the aggressive representation you need to defend yourself against drug possession charges.

We understand that many people arrested on drug charges in communities like Jesup, Hinesville, and Ludowici have never been through the criminal justice system before and may be worried about court appearances, license issues, and how family or employment will be affected. During your consultation, we talk through your goals, explain the range of possible consequences, and outline a strategy tailored to your situation. Whether your case is in a municipal court, Liberty County State Court, or Liberty County Superior Court, we are prepared to guide you step by step so you are not facing the process alone.

Call (912) 205-5038 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with our experienced drug possession lawyers.