Drug Offenses


Federal and state drug possession laws make it a crime to knowingly and willfully possess illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, and heroin. These laws also criminalize the possession of "precursor" chemicals used in drug cultivation and manufacturing, as well as certain accessories related to drug use.  Drug possession laws vary according to drug type and amount of the drug.  Possession of small quantities may be deemed “simple” possession (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30(a)), while possession of larger amounts may result in a charge of possession with intent to distribute (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30(b)) or trafficking (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31). 
Drug crimes spring from a wide variety of fact patterns.  At Lawrence Lewis, P.C., we have represented people who have been accused of growing, selling, producing, importing, delivering, possessing and trafficking drugs.  The drugs involved in these cases have included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.  In addition, in recent years, law enforcement and prosecutors have begun to rely on wire taps and other clandestine surveillance techniques to apprehend and prosecute individuals suspected of involvement in the drug trade.  The use of wire taps has added great complexity to the defense of individuals accused of drug offenses, and overwhelmed most novice criminal defense attorneys.  Few attorneys have handled as many wiretap cases as Lawrence Lewis. 
Most importantly, a conviction on a charge of drug possession, sales, manufacturing, distribution or trafficking often carries a lengthy prison sentence and significant fines. Those consequences require you to secure the services of an experienced attorney to protect your rights and identify those issues that extend from police misconduct.  
Please find attached a list of other clients we have helped.  See more under Recent Trials. 
 
CASE: State of Georgia v. Aonta D. Ruth (07B-3622-1)
RESULT: (September 2007) Four days jury trial on one count of trafficking in cocaine, resulted in NOT GUILTY verdict.
FACTS: Client arrested after he took a trip with childhood friend from North Carolina to Georgia. Client arrested outside of motel with childhood friend and two other defendants, after all four are congregating around a vehicle, where a kilo of cocaine is located.  Additional males located in a motel room rented by childhood friend were released by police. Childhood friend found guilty of trafficking in cocaine and sentenced. Mr. Ruth found not guilty.


CASE: State of Georgia v. Shirley Gomez (05B-4552-5)
RESULT: (December, 2005) Five-day jury trial on one count of Trafficking in Cocaine resulted in NOT GUILTY verdict.
 
FACTS: Client arrested in her home by drug task force, after a friend (co-defendant) set-up a drug deal in her home.  Co-defendant from Miami, Florida arranged to meet undercover agent at client’s home.  Undercover agent sees, and later confiscates, one kilo of cocaine, which was located on client’s kitchen counter.  Co-defendant testified against client at her jury trial, claiming she was a player in the drug deal.  Jury found co-defendant incredible.

Keyword: Drug Offenses Lawyers, Lawrenceville Drug Offenses Attorneys, Atlanta Drug Offenses Attorneys,  Drug Offenses Lawyers in Gwinnett County

About Me

I hung a shingle in February 2000, because I saw that individuals charged with criminal offenses were being underserved by the attorneys practicing criminal law. Since February 2000, I have represented more than two thousand criminal clients. I only practice criminal law, but I do everything from violations of probation to Supreme Court appeals. There are few attorneys under the age of sixty that have my level of experience. I have tried more than two hundred major felony jury trials. I have tried more than fifty misdemeanor jury trials. In Philadelphia as a prosecutor, I tried more than two thousand bench trials. I have conducted more than three thousand preliminary hearings and bond hearings. Yet, I still have the energy at forty-five to serve my current clients. There is nothing that will occur in a courtroom that I have not experienced before. When you are looking for an attorney, experience is everything.