Prosecutors in Atlanta and Immigration officials take drug-related crimes seriously. Even minor drug charges, including possession of marijuana, can lead to severe consequences. For immigrants, convictions for drug crimes often lead to deportation and always will prevent entry to the U.S. or admission as a legal resident.
We can protect you in Federal or Georgia Courts against Controlled Substance Offenses.
If convicted for controlled substance type offenses, it is a serious violation of immigration laws. Inadmissibility and deportation are very likely.
Georgia is one of the toughest states for drug sentencing. Federal sentencing remains harsh on drug distribution offenses, especially when involving a weapon.
While more courts are recognizing the need for an alternative sentence other than prison for non-violent drug charges, possession of small amounts of most drugs is still considered a felony offense.
For a U.S. citizen, a felony offense can prevent job opportunities, the right to carry a weapon, suspend your driving privileges, prevent student loans or other financings, foreclose housing benefits, revoke professional licensing, and many, many other consequences. For a non-U.S. citizen, you will be deported for any drug offense conviction, other than one (1) misdemeanor incident of Possession of Marijuana < 1 Ounce, and you will never be lawfully admitted to the U.S. (again). Even one (1) misdemeanor Possession < 1 Ounce conviction will make you inadmissible to the U.S. upon re-entry. Only some will qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility.
No one should take criminal charges lightly, as the impact of a conviction will last well into the future. An Atlanta drug lawyer can help you build your defense. Call today to discuss your case with an experienced defense attorney in Georgia.
We have litigated over 800 hundred felony drug cases with much success, preventing countless deportations. STERN Law has the expertise to successfully defend against federal or Georgia criminal charges and protect your immigration status.
A conviction for most drug possession offenses violates immigration laws, causing deportation and/or inadmissibility.
For the first possession of drugs, you may be eligible for conditional discharge sentencing. If your drug attorney negotiates a sentence involving conditional discharge, you will not have a conviction on your Georgia criminal history record so long as you successfully complete the terms of your sentence. However, beware that under federal immigration law, this is a criminal conviction!
For a non-U.S. citizen, you will be deported for any drug offense conviction, other than one (1) misdemeanor incident of Possession of Marijuana < 1 Ounce, and will never be lawfully admitted to the U.S. (again). Even one (1) misdemeanor < 1 Ounce conviction will make you inadmissible to the U.S. upon re-entry. Only some will qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility.
Possessing Schedule I or II drugs can result in anywhere from two to fifteen years in prison for a first-time offender. The penalties increase for individuals with multiple convictions on their records. A person convicted two or more times may face a prison term ranging from five to 30 years.
The sentencing is less severe when a person illegally possesses Schedule III, IV, or V substances. A penalty in first-time offenses for these drugs will range between one and five years in prison, while subsequent convictions result in between one and ten years.
Federal felony drug crimes may also be considered “aggravated felonies,” meaning that they are mandatory deportable offenses for non-citizens. Between the immigration risks and the potential sentencing of decades in prison, it will be vital for suspects to seek counsel from an experienced criminal immigration defense lawyer.
You want an experienced CrImmigration Attorney to overcome your charges and avoid conviction. Potential defenses require a deep knowledge of the law and police practices. STERN Law has litigated hundreds of felony drug cases with much success, preventing countless deportations.
Trafficking generally involves the distribution of 28 grams or more of a controlled substance. Each trafficking charge requires individual statutory analysis to determine which sentence applies, but most offenses carry either 5, 15, or 25-year mandatory sentences (without the possibility of probation or sometimes parole) depending on the weight and purity of the drugs.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to the state site. Please check the official sources.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.