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Are juvenile marijuana charges more severe?

As readers of this blog know, marijuana is illegal in Georgia. Indeed, in a recent post, we discussed the potential penalties for possessing or using it. What readers may not know is that those penalties can vary depending on whether the offender is a juvenile or an adult.

In this blog post, we will describe the differences between Georgia juvenile marijuana charges and adult marijuana charges, and how they can affect your future.

Juvenile marijuana charges

If you are under the age of 18, you are a juvenile in Georgia. If a juvenile is caught with less than one ounce of marijuana, they may face a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.

This can result in up to 12 months of probation, community service, drug education and a fine of up to $1,000. The juvenile’s record may be sealed or expunged after they complete their sentence.

If a juvenile is caught with more than one ounce of marijuana, they may face a felony charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. This can result in up to five years in a youth detention center, a fine of up to $15,000 and a permanent criminal record that cannot be sealed or expunged.

Adult marijuana charges

An adult is someone who is 17 or older in Georgia. If an adult is caught with less than one ounce of marijuana, they may face a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana. This can result in up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 and a criminal record that can affect their employment, education and housing opportunities.

If an adult is caught with more than one ounce of marijuana, they may face a felony charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. This can result in up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000 and a criminal record that can have severe consequences for their future.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are significant differences between Georgia juvenile marijuana charges and adult marijuana charges. If you or someone you know is facing either type of charge, it is important to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.

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