Sometimes it seems as if the big time white collar criminals get a slap on the wrist while the corner dope dealer gets sent to prison for decades. Whether you blame the laws themselves or the application of said laws, there are disparities in the justice system which make it not always seem so just.
For instance, this week the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports a 59 year old Marietta lawyer was sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison along with restitution and fines. His crime? Bilking his own partners and his clients of more than $340,000.
This isn’t the most extreme example. It seems that we often see members of the upper crust of society getting little more than a warning for offenses that really cause people a great deal of pain. While this specific example is a federal case of fraud, the same often holds true for criminal charges handled by the state of Georgia.
We’ve seen people sentenced to far more for dealing with marijuana, for instance, something that the majority of society is beginning to recognize needs more progressive laws.
In Georgia, if you are charged with possessing more than a single ounce of marijuana, you can face felony charges and up to 10 years in prison. While the likelihood of a judge sentencing you to the maximum penalty is rare—it is possible and it does occasionally happen.
In addition to a lengthy prison sentence, you can face additional fines and even a driver’s license suspension. The penalties for selling or even intending to sell marijuana are even more extreme.
A criminal sentence is never easy to bear. If you are convicted or plead guilty to a crime, regardless of the crime itself, you will have lasting repercussions.
When you are facing criminal charges, you want to know that you will be treated fairly and given the same benefits afforded to lawyers, doctors, and other members of society who seem to get off easy again and again.
Having a criminal defense attorney you trust and can put your confidence in can help. If you are facing charges, whether they are for fraud or possession of marijuana, we can help.
Contact us today for a free consultation on your criminal case. We can talk about the evidence against you, potential sentences, and your options. You may find the outlook isn’t so bleak after speaking with a local attorney.