Conditional discharge, drug court, and pretrial diversion can avoid convictions. We negotiate the best outcome. Don’t plead guilty without options—call first.
Drug possession charges in Georgia can carry devastating penalties that affect every part of your life—your freedom, your finances, your career, and your future. Whether you were pulled over in Coweta County and found with marijuana in the car or accused of possessing a Schedule I substance, these charges demand immediate, aggressive legal representation.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we defend people facing serious drug possession charges under Georgia Code § 16-13-30. If you or a loved one is being investigated or has already been arrested, do not wait to call. Prosecutors take these cases seriously. So do we.
Under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30, it is illegal to possess, manufacture, distribute, or sell controlled substances or marijuana in Georgia. The statute is broad and broken down by:
Violations of this law range from misdemeanors to felonies, with possible sentencing from 1 year to life in prison.
Fulton County Superior Court
Handles felony criminal cases in Georgia’s busiest court system.
Carroll County Superior Court
Handles felonies and serious criminal matters in Carroll County.
Coweta County Superior Court
Presides over felony charges and major criminal cases.
Heard County Superior Court
Handles felony-level criminal cases and grand jury indictments.
Meriwether County Superior Court
Oversees serious criminal cases for Meriwether County.
Troup County Superior Court
Handles felony prosecutions and criminal court matters.
A simple possession charge under subsection involves having a controlled substance for personal use, whereas possession with intent to distribute under subsection involves an allegation that you planned to sell, share, or otherwise distribute the drug. This is often inferred based on the amount of the drug, how it was packaged, the presence of scales or baggies, and other circumstantial evidence.
Controlled substances are classified into Schedules I through V:
Marijuana is separately regulated but is still illegal for most personal use purposes in Georgia.
These penalties increase significantly for repeat offenses, larger quantities, or drug possession in a school zone or public housing area.
Bibb County Carroll County Coweta County Fulton County Glynn County Spalding County
Areas Served
Your sentence could be enhanced if any of the following are true:
Prosecutors may also attempt to charge you under more serious statutes like trafficking or intent to distribute based on the circumstances.
Just because you were arrested doesn’t mean you are guilty. Our job is to make the state prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Some common defenses we explore include:
Was the evidence obtained through an illegal traffic stop or home search? If your Fourth Amendment rights were violated, the evidence may be thrown out.
You must have actual or constructive possession. If the drugs were simply nearby (such as in a shared car or house), that alone may not be enough to convict.
If the substance was a controlled prescription drug and you had a valid prescription, it is not illegal to possess it.
If law enforcement encouraged or coerced you into committing a crime you would not have otherwise committed, you may have an entrapment defense.
We often challenge the state’s drug testing. The burden is on the government to prove the substance was what they claim it is, and mistakes are more common than you think.
When you hire us, we move fast. Our first steps usually involve:
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every case is different, and our defense strategies reflect that.
For certain first-time offenders or people struggling with addiction, Georgia courts may offer alternatives to prison:
This law allows certain first-time offenders to avoid a conviction on their record if they complete probation successfully.
Used for people charged with drug possession for the first time. If completed, the charge may be dismissed.
Available in some counties, including Coweta, these programs let participants complete classes, treatment, and community service in exchange for dismissal.
We will assess whether you qualify and push for the least damaging outcome whenever possible.
Even after you serve your sentence, a conviction can follow you for life:
We work hard not only to defend you in court but also to protect your future outside of it.
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When the state of Georgia charges you with a drug crime, they bring serious resources to the table. You need someone in your corner who knows the law, knows Coweta County courts, and knows how to fight.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, our focus is criminal defense. We treat you like a person—not a case file. We explain the process clearly and give you a plan. And we fight to get your charges reduced, dismissed, or resolved in the best way possible.
