Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

A WALB article reported that on July 5, 2010, a Thomasville man was arrested for cocaine possession after reporting a burglary at his own home. According to the article, the man came home to find the lights on inside of his house on Andrews Street and subsequently called to report what he thought to be a burglary in process. The police arrived and searched his home, which appeared to be ransacked, but found no intruder. Instead, the police found a large amount of cocaine and over 4,000 dollars in cash inside of the residence. The owner of the home was arrested on charges of possession with intent to distribute an illegal substance.

If convicted of these crimes, which are felonies in the state of Georgia, this man will be facing fines and more severe penalties, such as a lengthy prison sentence, probation, drug rehabilitation, and more. Georgia drug crimes involving possession must be taken seriously, as the penalties involved are severe and life-altering. It is of the utmost importance that the case at hand be thoroughly investigated so that the best course of action for the defense of the accused may be taken.

Continue reading "Thomasville Man Arrested for Drug Possession after Reporting Burglary" »

A Moultrie Observer article recently described the arrest of a man for drug violations in Colquitt County. The man was charged with the Georgia drug crime of possession and intent to distribute marijuana and white pills known as Hydrocodone. The arrest began as a routine traffic stop when an officer on patrol noticed that the driver’s tag light was not working and made the stop.

The officer spoke to the driver when a second officer with a K-9 unit arrived and had his dog check the outside of the vehicle for illegal substances. The dog indicated that there were illegal substances and the officers had the man step out of the vehicle. They then conducted a search of the man and found a bag of marijuana in his pocket. The officers then searched the vehicle and allegedly found three more bags of marijuana in the vehicle with white Hyrdrocodone pills inside. The man was taken to prison where it was determined that the pills were Hydrocodone.

Charges for the possession and intent to distribute illegal substances in Georgia can have steep penalties. These include anything from prison time, probation, rehabilitation programs to community service. One can even lose certain civil liberties, such as the right to own a fire arm and even the right to vote. When facing such serious charges, it is of the utmost importance that the civil rights of the accused are upheld and that those rights were never violated in process of the arrest.

If you or someone you know is being prosecuted for a Georgia drug related charge, please call a knowledgeable, skilled Atlanta drug possession defense attorney from Conaway & Strickler, P.C. for help. We have years of experience in developing strong, solid cases for our clients who have been accused of a drug related crime. We will ensure that your rights are protected, and we will aggressively defend you in a court of law. For a free consultation, please call us at 1-888-534-9106 to learn more about your legal rights and how we can help you receive the fair trial that you deserve.

A www.accessnorthga.com article addresses the recent arrest of three Gainesville men for several drug charges relating to trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and use of a communications device to facilitate a drug transaction. Based on the article, after an undercover drug investigation involving the local gang task force, the FBI and the Gainesville Police Department, the men were arrested for allegedly possessing over six pounds of cocaine. The arrested men are all in their twenties and have a full life ahead of them to live.

Facing drug charges in Georgia for multiple offenses, especially those involving drug trafficking and possession with the intent to distribute, can lead to several harsh and life-changing consequences if an individual is convicted. Some of these serious penalties may include prison time, serving probation, steep fines, mandatory drug rehabilitation programs, community service, and loss of certain civil liberties such as the right to own a handgun, the right to vote, and the ability to obtain some kinds of employment.

When multiple drug arrests are made due to undercover operations, some may question the legality of arrest procedure and whether the rights of arrested individuals were violated in any way. If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug crime in Georgia, the aggressive and knowledgeable Atlanta drug crime defense attorneys at Conaway, Strickler, & Margolis, P.C. can help. Our criminal defense lawyers have years of experience thoroughly investigating drug crimes and building strong cases for our clients. Call 1-888-534-9106 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can defend your rights.

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" »

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 " »

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" »

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 1-888-534-9106 for a free consultation.

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 1-888-534-9106 for a free consultation.

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 1-888-534-9106 for a free consultation.