Being charged with a drug crime in McDonough can really set your life back. A conviction can follow you around well after you leave prison. Marijuana possession, especially possession of more than one ounce, is a felony charge and has serious consequences. Many convictions result in fines up to $20,000 and long prison sentences. Trying to defend these charges on your own or thinking you will be able to convince police to drop the charges by explaining your story is extremely risky and is a gamble many people are not willing to make.

Now, five Clayton County residents are being charged with felony marijuana possession after police raided a home in Fairburn. Late last week Clayton County police officers acted on a tip from the Fairburn Police Department about the possible drug activity, but the Henry Daily Herald does not indicate that Clayton County officers corroborated the tip before making their raid. It seems officers blindly accepted the Fairburn officer's allegations.

Officers arrested five people, two of whom were in their 60s, all on charges of possession of more than an ounce of marijuana. Some of the other charges included possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. Since their arrests, bond was set for four of the suspects, but one of the suspects was denied bond.

The Daily Herald also reports that police took $7,600 in cash from the home. According to police, there were 4 pounds of marijuana in the home, as well as an AK-47 assault rifle and a .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun.

For these five suspects, there is a real possibility that they will spend a considerable amount of time in prison or pay a large fine if they are convicted. That is why it is essential that they do not speak with police and request the assistance of a criminal defense attorney. With legal help, it is possible they will be able to clear their name and protect their rights in the process.

Source: Henry Daily Herald, "Clayton County police arrest 5 in pot bust," Kathy Jefcoats, Feb. 10, 2012