Heroin is one of the illegal drugs that’s taken very seriously in Georgia. Officials consider this drug a serious threat to the public because there is a huge risk of overdosing on it. For people who are addicted to it, this means that they can face criminal charges with every purchase. The individuals who sell it to them can also face serious consequences.
All heroin charges in Georgia are felonies, so being convicted of one means that you’ll be branded a felon. This can mean that you have to deal with the consequences of the charges for the remainder of your life.
A person who has up to four grams can face charges for possession of heroin. This comes with the possibility of 2 to 15 years in prison on a first offense. That increases to 5 to 30 years on a subsequent offense. Selling heroin comes with a penalty of 5 to 30 years on a first offense. Life in prison is possible on subsequent offenses.
Anyone who has more than four grams of heroin can be charged with trafficking. On a first offense, the penalties for trafficking are:
- 4 to 14 grams: mandatory 5-year imprisonment, $50,000 fine
- 14 to 28 grams: mandatory 10-year imprisonment, $100,000 fine
- More than 28 grams: mandatory 25-year imprisonment, $500,000 fine
If you’re facing a charge associated with heroin, you should consult with your attorney right away. You need to review your defense options so you can make a decision on the direction of your case. This should consider the relevant factors and potential penalties.
