He was a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve Signal Corps in 1974, remaining in the Reserve until 1980 reaching the rank of captain.
He was an assistant district attorney of the Macon, Georgia Judicial Circuit from 1975 to 1978.
He was an assistant United States attorney for the Middle District of Georgia from 1978 to 1987.
On February 9, 1994, Sands was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia created by 104 Stat.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 6, 1994, and received his commission on May 9, 1994.