Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorney

Facing Drug Manufacturing Charges? Contact Us!

If you or a loved one faces charges of manufacturing drugs, prompt and informed action matters. At Crawford and Boyle, LLC, our criminal defense team includes former prosecutors who know the courtrooms, judges, and legal processes in this area. We bring decades of experience to the table, helping you understand your position, what to expect next, and how to move forward with confidence.

Drug manufacturing accusations carry serious risks. Georgia prosecutors often treat these offenses as major crimes, and local law enforcement agencies—including the Sheriff’s Office—coordinate investigations with significant resources. We have represented people in these courts for years and use our familiarity to anticipate challenges and explain your legal choices clearly.

From your first call, our drug manufacturing defense lawyers make sure you feel heard, prepared, and ready for the process ahead.

Call a trusted drug manufacturing defense attorney at (678) 680-5000 or reach out online now. We offer free and virtual consultations to launch your defense immediately.

Understanding Georgia Drug Manufacturing Law

Under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, the crime of drug manufacturing is defined broadly and includes several distinct forms of production, cultivation, and preparation.

For a conviction, the prosecution must prove that the accused manufactured a controlled substance, which involves:

• Unauthorized Act: The accused possessed, purchased, or had under their control a controlled substance with the specific intent to manufacture (produce or cultivate) it.
• The Substance’s Schedule: The substance must be classified under the five drug Schedules (Schedule I and II carry the most severe penalties). Manufacturing a Schedule I or narcotic Schedule II substance is considered a first-tier offense.
• Knowledge: The accused acted knowingly and unlawfully (without authorization) during the process.

The law applies not just to the final product but to any step in the process, including the cultivation of marijuana or the chemical syntheses of substances like methamphetamine (“meth labs”).

Penalties and Sentencing for Drug Manufacturing in Georgia

Drug manufacturing is treated as a felony under Georgia law, carrying some of the state’s toughest punishments. Unlike simple possession, which may allow for probation or alternative sentencing, manufacturing typically comes with mandatory minimum prison time. The severity of the sentence depends on the classification of the controlled substance involved, with harsher penalties imposed for narcotics and high-schedule drugs.

• Mandatory Felony Penalties for Drug Manufacturing (First Offense)
  • Schedule I or Narcotic Schedule II (Heroin, Cocaine, Meth): Imprisonment of not less than 5 years and up to 30 years; fines are discretionary but often substantial.
  • Schedule III, IV, or V: Imprisonment of not less than 1 year and up to 10 years; fines are discretionary.
• Second Offense: For manufacturing Schedule I or II drugs, a second conviction mandates imprisonment for not less than ten years nor more than 40 years or life imprisonment.

Additionally, if the manufacturing operation involves a large quantity (e.g., 10 pounds of marijuana or 28 grams of cocaine), the client will likely face simultaneous Drug Trafficking charges, which mandate both steep prison terms and fines (e.g., up to a $1 million fine).

Key Defense Strategies Against Drug Manufacturing Charges

Successfully fighting drug manufacturing requires a defense that attacks both the legality of the police investigation and the scientific evidence of the alleged production.

• Illegal Search and Seizure (Fourth Amendment): Many manufacturing arrests stem from information provided by an informant or a search warrant executed at a residence or clandestine lab. Our team files aggressive Motions to Suppress all evidence if law enforcement lacked probable cause for the search or if the search exceeded the scope of the warrant. If the warrant was invalid, the evidence (chemicals, equipment, drugs) is thrown out, leading to a likely dismissal.
• Challenging the “Manufacturing” Element: We argue that the actions were merely preparation or simple possession, not manufacturing. For example, arguing that mixing legal substances did not constitute the production of a controlled substance, or that the client’s involvement was limited to handling a finished product.
• Lack of Knowledge or Control: Our team defends clients by proving that they had no knowledge of the controlled substances or the manufacturing equipment (e.g., the materials belonged to a co-defendant or were hidden on a shared property). This challenges the element of knowing and intentional possession.
• Challenging Forensic Evidence: We scrutinize the chemical analysis reports and the chain of custody for all seized substances to ensure the purity and weight are accurately reported and that the evidence was not contaminated.

The Criminal Defense Process

Our team is intimately familiar with the procedures and personnel involved in prosecuting a drug case in Georgia. We manage the entire felony process, from the Grand Jury indictment to trial.

• Pre-Indictment Intervention: We intervene early with the District Attorney’s office to present mitigating evidence and negotiate for a reduction of the manufacturing charge to a lesser offense, such as Possession with Intent to Distribute, which may avoid the harshest mandatory penalties.
• The Grand Jury: All felonies in Georgia require a Grand Jury indictment. We prepare for this phase by ensuring the State adheres to all legal standards and aggressively challenge the evidence presented.
• Mitigation for Sentencing: Where a conviction is unavoidable, we commit significant resources to present a comprehensive mitigation case to the judge, advocating for a minimum sentence and alternative sentencing options (such as probation or drug treatment programs) over long-term incarceration.

Why Work With Our Drug Manufacturing Defense Lawyers

For people accused of drug manufacturing, legal representation by seasoned attorneys can make a lasting difference. With over 50 years of combined experience, our team at Crawford and Boyle, LLC uses a strategic, detailed approach on every case.

As former prosecutors, we know criminal law from both sides and build plans designed for the unique landscape of Georgia courts. Our preparation includes learning the details of your situation, identifying legal issues, and developing a plan tailored to your needs—not a generic defense or template strategy.

We pride ourselves on communication and clarity throughout your case. From the start, you’ll know who handles your file and what to expect. Our team follows local trends and updates in how state or county prosecutors pursue drug-related crimes, allowing us to provide perspective on possible outcomes and obstacles.

We answer your questions directly, use plain language, and explain possible next steps so you always know where your case stands. With Crawford and Boyle, LLC, you are never left waiting and wondering—we believe clarity and confidence go hand in hand.

• Local credibility: We know the court systems, giving us insight into local prosecutors and judges.
• Proven commitment: Every client receives dedicated attention, with a focus on their unique circumstances.
• Recognized quality: Our attorneys have earned industry recognition, including Superb Avvo Ratings and membership in respected national groups.
• Free consultation: Start with a no-risk review to understand your situation and options.

Take the Next Step—Talk to a Drug Defense Manufacturing Lawyer

If you face drug manufacturing charges, talk with our team at Crawford and Boyle, LLC for a private, no-risk consultation. You’ll receive honest feedback about your situation, practical information about timelines and possible strategies, and guidance from lawyers who understand local courtrooms and Georgia law.

Start the process by calling (678) 680-5000 or filling out this online form. Let us help you plan your next steps with clarity and confidence.