Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

Legislature on Monday approved a bill that would make New Jersey the 14th state to allow chronically ill patients access to marijuana for medical reasons. The bill allows patients with ailments such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to buy up to 2 ounces (57 grams) of marijuana a month at state-monitored dispensaries.

New Jersey's legislation authorizes the Department of Health to issue to patients with "debilitating medical conditions" registry ID cards that allow them to use marijuana. Patients with specified diseases such as cancer and glaucoma must also demonstrate severe or chronic pain, nausea, seizures, muscle spasms or wasting syndrome to qualify. Patients with registry cards would be immune from arrest or prosecution for the medical use of marijuana.

Continue reading "New Jersey Legislature Approves Bill to Make State 14th New Jersey Legislature Approves Bill to Make State with Medical Marijuana" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Crime , Drug Defense , Law & Information

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A report from foxnews.com discusses the recent events of the largest drug bust of the last 10 years conducted by the Justice Department, in which New York State and many other U.S. states were main sites for receiving the shipment of illegal substances. According to the article, over 400 members of an alleged Mexico-based cartel have been taken into custody for charges of distributing tons of methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana in the U.S.

Aside from New York, other locations that are suspected of receiving the drug shipments include the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles, and the states of Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina , Florida , Oregon and Washington.

Apparently, the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the assistance of more than 100 federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies, spent 20-months investigating the drug ring that is allegedly based in Sinaloa, Mexico. The investigation, referred to as “Operation Imperial Emperor,” led to the seizure of an estimated $45.2 million, 27,229 pounds of marijuana, 9,512 pounds of cocaine, 705 pounds of methamphetamine, 227 pounds of pure methamphetamine, and 11 pounds of heroin. $6.1 million in assets and property was also confiscated, in addition to approximately 100 weapons and 94 vehicles.

Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offense, and although incidents are usually not as widespread as the recent bust of the alleged Mexico-based cartel, these types of cases are some of the most complex. If a person is convicted of drug trafficking, he or she may face spending years in prison, having valuable assets taken away, and paying hefty fines, all in addition to having his or her own personal reputation and relationships compromised.

Continue reading "Mexico-Based Cartel Bust: New York One of Many Drug Shipment Sites " »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Crime , Drug Defense , Federal Crimes , Law & Information

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The website onlineathens.com reported in an article on June 27, 2009 that two DUI checkpoints in Georgia patrolled by the University of Georgia police, Athens-Clarke police, and Georgia State Patrol on the second night of AthFest resulted in the arrests of 48 people for DUI in Georgia. An additional 100 citations were given for lesser offenses.

Police also believe that they apprehended a burglary suspect when a keen officer unaffected by the late hour of 3:15 a.m. and, suspiciously late at night, noticed that a man age 39 had large amounts of beer and several cartons of cigarettes along with big packs of lighters. The officer called in to headquarters to see if there had been any calls for a robbery. Sure enough there had been a robbery at the QuickSpot located at 840 Hull Road and the stolen items were similar to the ones the officer noticed. Review of the store’s security tape revealed a man that appears to be the suspect throwing a rock through the front door and stealing all the items found in the suspect’s car.

Police had another big score when a 37 year old Lawrenceville man was arrested for possession of 25 pounds of marijuana. An officer going by the vehicle happened to get a hint of the aroma of marijuana. A drug sniffing dog working the checkpoints was summoned and verified the officer’s suspicions finding 21 gallon sized bags of marijuana and a large sum of cash. The suspect was detained and charged with driving without a license and trafficking marijuana.

Continue reading "Georgia DUI Sweeps Net 4 Dozen in One Night" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , DUI Defense , Drug Crime , Drug Defense , Non-Violent Crime , Theft Crimes

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The nydailynews.com website reported in a story on February 10, 2009 that Dr. Richard Lucente, 37, had been arrested for the NY drug crime of illegally selling steroids to bodybuilders. Lucente is also the main doctor involved in a steroid scandal involving NYPD officers. Lucente operated the New York anti-aging and wellness center in W. Brighton, Staten Island. He was one of the principal doctors writing prescriptions for police officers and high school athletes. Lowen’s Pharmacy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn was also indicted.

Charles Hynes, Brooklyn District Attorney said, “He gained a reputation as someone who would sell to any bodybuilder, weightlifter or athlete.”

According to the authorities, Lucente wrote a prescription for Joseph Baglio, a bodybuilder who had just recently had a heart transplant because of steroid use. Police believe Baglio’s death is connected to steroid use. Homicide charges were not placed on Lucente because medical examiners could not be absolutely sure that the steroids were the cause of Baglio’s untimely death. Therefore Lucente was charged with reckless endangerment.

Hynes said, “Dr. Lucente knew he had a heart transplant. He had no business giving him any kind of steroid.”

Lucente would receive kickbacks for sending patients to Lowen’s Pharmacy whose owner John Rossi, 56, killed himself in his office in 2008.

Hynes added, “Dr. Lucente’s greed resulted in the tragic death of two people.”

Investigators believe Lucente made $500,000 from steroid patients between 2005 and 2007. Lucente faces 5 ½ years for each of the 76 counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance.

It was not disclosed if police officers or firefighters cooperated with the investigation.

John Meringolo, Lucente’s lawyer said, “He will be vindicated. He has helped people. He has saved peoples lives. It’s actually absurd what they are doing here.”

If you have been charged with a drug offense in New York or Georgia, you are facing serious charges and should hire a skilled Georgia or New York drug charge attorney from Conaway & Strickler immediately. Depending on the amount of narcotic seized, you could be facing a long jail term and heavy fines. Do not fight these charges on your own. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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The nydailynews.com reported in an account on February 10, 2009 that an undercover sting operation resulted in the arrest of parolee Kirkland Smith, 58, for selling methadone to an undercover police officer. Due to a slip up, either by the NYPD or the district attorney’s office, they botched up the drug test results and were unsuccessful in meeting a deadline to indict Smith; therefore, he walked out of jail. According to police reports Smith poured $20 worth of methadone into a water bottle and sold it to the undercover cop in this New York drug crime.

Feeling untouchable, Smith decided to take two women hostage for six hours. Police were finally able to talk Smith into surrendering without incident. Smith claimed to have been upset because he was getting evicted, although no evidence of this could be found.

Parole officials will wait to see if they will charge Smith with violating his parole until the drug case is settled.

At Conaway & Strickler, P.C. their drug offense and parole violation attorneys aggressively defend the rights of clients throughout New York and Georgia, and are nationally recognized for their successful case outcomes. Each of their attorneys has a deep, personal knowledge of the courts, judges, and other courthouse personnel in the courts in which they practice on a regular basis. For more than a decade, the Georgia and New York drug crime defense lawyers have successfully defended clients charged with various felony and misdemeanor charges, and they may be able to help you in your time of need. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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The wbstv.com website reported in an account on March 13, 2009 that Ken Tippins, former Atlanta Falcons player from 1990-1995 will serve four years in jail after pleading guilty to a cocaine charge according to Charles Stines, Alapaha Chief Assistant District Attorney. A marijuana possession with intent charge was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea. A motion has been filed to reconsider the notion of the drug possession with intent to sell in Georgia. It is scheduled for April 15, and will be heard by Alapaha Judicial Circuit Judge Howard McClain.

The Controlled Substance Act is a consolidation of laws that regulate the possession, manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the illicit production of controlled substances or illegal drugs.
The Act breaks down narcotics into 5 different categories or "schedules", the most serious being "Schedule 1" offenses for drug crimes in Georgia.

Some examples of "Schedule 1" narcotics are:
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Methamphetamine
• Ecstasy
• PCP
• LSD

Penalties for schedule 1 narcotics offenses are severe and may require the assistance of a top criminal defense attorney in Georgia. Depending on the amount of narcotic seized, a first offense conviction could mean a prison term of up to 20 years plus fines; and, if you have been convicted of 2 previous offenses, you could be facing life in prison.

Marijuana laws vary slightly from the above and are generally based on the amount of marijuana or hashish seized. However the penalties for marijuana and hashish can be equally as severe, depending upon the quantity.

Conaway & Strickler, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia. For more than a decade, their aggressive and skilled Georgia criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended clients charged with serious felony and misdemeanor charges, including drug trafficking, drug possession, and possession with intent to sell. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Crime , Drug Defense

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