{"id":372719,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-cocaine-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-08T08:55:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T13:55:35","slug":"georgia-cocaine-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-cocaine-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Cocaine Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Cocaine Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The possession, sale, and trafficking of a controlled substance is illegal in all states. This includes laws against the possession of cocaine. As with most federal and state drug laws<\/a>, cocaine charges are more severe charges for possession of marijuana. That’s because cocaine<\/a> is one of the more dangerous drugs. It has a high potential for physical dependence and can lead to long-term addiction.<\/p>\r\n

Georgia’s cocaine laws are strict. Georgia’s criminal code makes it a felony for someone to have any amount of cocaine. You could end up in prison for up to 15 years for your first offense. To give you an idea of how strict Georgia’s drug laws are, actual possession<\/a> of more than 28 grams (1 ounce) of cocaine (a Schedule II drug<\/a>) leads to charges of cocaine trafficking since the amount shows intent to sell.<\/p>\r\n

While the sale of cocaine<\/a> is a felony in the State of Georgia, punishable by five to 30 years in prison, a first-time offender may not serve as much time but still must serve a minimum one-year term. A second offense may result in a prison term of up to 40 years. Selling cocaine (or any illicit drugs) within a school zone, possessing a firearm, having a child present, and other aggravating factors will increase the penalty.<\/p>\r\n

Does Georgia Have a Drug Court Program?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Like most other states, Georgia has "accountability courts" (drug courts) to help ease the strain on prison resources and help people with addiction access recovery programs. Georgia’s accountability courts offer drug abatement programs<\/a> (counseling, etc.) for first-time offenders and are accessible in some but not all Georgia counties. Use the Georgia Accountability Court Directory to find one near you.<\/p>\r\n

Georgia’s Cocaine Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Learn more about Georgia cocaine laws in the following chart. See FindLaw’s Drug Charges<\/a> section for more articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code section<\/th>\r\n

O.C.G.A. \u00a716-13-20<\/a>, et seq.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Possession<\/th>\r\n

Georgia law considers possession of over 28 grams of cocaine as drug trafficking<\/a>. A possession charge of any amount is a felony and may lead to a mandatory minimum sentence of two to years in prison. Subsequent offenses can lead to a prison sentence of five to 30 years.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Sale and distribution<\/th>\r\n

Felony: 5-30 years; subsequent convictions: 10-40 years.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Cocaine trafficking<\/th>\r\n

If the police catch you with 28-200 grams, the judge will issue a mandatory sentence of ten years and a fine of $200,000. For a drug possession case involving 200-400 grams, the penalty is a mandatory 15 years in prison and a fine of $300,000. If you have over 400 grams of cocaine on you, you\u2019ll face a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and up to $1,000,000 in fines.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

More penalties for drug violations<\/th>\r\n