Douglas N. Peters – Criminal Defense Notable Cases:
Drug Crimes

State v. Jane Doe (2020)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance; Distribution of Controlled Substance

Prosecution's Case:

The state alleged that the defendant unlawfully kept and distributed medications that she obtained as nurse working on a post-surgical floor instead of using the medications for patients. She was caught when the pharmacy alerted the medical staff that the nurse had a higher than normal medication withdrawal rate than other nurses and her patient records did not reflect that the medication pulled had been given to the patients.

Defense and Outcome:

The defense team proved that the defendant in fact did not unlawfully obtain the medications; that she had a higher patient volume than other nurses because she was an excellent nurse; and that some of the charting discrepancies were unrelated to unlawful conduct. The nurse did, however, use the left over medication to self-medicate and did not dispose of the medication properly. She was able to enter into a treatment program and prove that she did not need state or court intervention. After a year, the state elected to expunge her arrest record.

State of Georgia v. John Doe (2019)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Possession With Intent To Distribute Ecstasy; Possession Of Firearm; Possession Cocaine

Prosecution's Case:

The three co-defendants rode in the defendant’s car to a house and mailbox to retrieve two packages of illegal drugs, which had been mailed from Canada. The package had a name on it that matched the defendant’s first name and one of his co-defendant’s last name. It contained 1000s of tightly bundled ecstasy pills.

Defense and Outcome:

The defendant was an opioid user. The co-defendants had long standing dealings with drugs, extensive criminal histories, and numerous residences, which appeared to be involved in drug trafficking. Further digging revealed that the name on the package belonged to one of the male co-defendants’ cousins, who was also involved with drugs and guns. The co-defendants took advantage of the defendant's last minute decision to buy drugs from them on a break from his work. They used his work delivery car to pick up the drugs. He was just along for the ride. All charges felony charges were dismissed. He was given 12 months probation for being in possession of a drug related object.