Due to the dangerous potential for addiction and overdosing, a drug charge is a serious offense in Georgia — even for first-time offenders. Young adults and juveniles may experience consequences they do not expect with regards to future opportunities.
Here’s what you need to know if you or a loved one is facing a first-time drug charge.
Criminal consequences
Nearly all drug possession convictions are considered felonies in Georgia. One mandatory consequence with any drug conviction is a driver’s license suspension. For first-time offenders, the time period is six months.
There are four categories of drug classification in our state, with varying sentences based on the level of potential for abuse and accepted medical use of the drug. Depending on the substance in question, individuals charged with possession for the first time could face a sentence from one to fifteen years in prison.
Future consequences
There are the obvious criminal charges, and there are other issues that you may not have considered. Drug convictions can affect your eligibility for things like:
- Financial aid for college
- Housing
- Future employment
Most employers run criminal background checks, and a felony charge will appear on that search. You may automatically be disqualified for certain careers while a conviction is on your record.
Do you have questions?
Your future prospects could depend on a good legal defense. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you minimize the impact of a drug charge, so you can move on with your life and make the right choices going forward.