
Being charged with a drug crime is serious business and you deserve a top notch Drug Lawyer Virginia. Criminal code SS 18.2-251.4 prohibits citizens from selling, distributing, transporting or marketing any substitution product designed to deceptively defeat a drug/alcohol screening test.
Depending on the drug involved and where the alleged offense occurred, penalties can be severe. A qualified Virginia drug defense attorney can assert many common defenses including questioning the legality of searches and seizures. Read more.
Possession
A conviction for drug possession can damage your reputation, prevent you from finding employment and housing, and make it difficult to have a family. Those charged with this crime should seek an experienced Virginia defense lawyer who understands the criminal justice system and can effectively represent you in court.
A knowledgeable drug attorney will help you fight your chargeschallenging the evidence that the prosecution is relying on to prove your guilt. This may include arguing that the police violated your constitutional rights during your arrest or search, resulting in evidence being improperly seized and excluded from trial.
Possession of drugs is a serious offense, and the penalties you face can depend on the type of drug, its schedule (e.g., schedule I drugs are deemed to have the most potential for addiction and no accepted medical uses), and the amount possessed. A drug lawyer can help you avoid the most severe consequences, including a lengthy prison sentence and insurmountable fines.
Distribution
A person charged with distribution of drugs can be facing serious jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. A conviction will likely affect employment opportunities and security clearances for government positions. The best way to defend against this charge is to hire a Virginia drug lawyer who has experience handling such cases. They know the ins and outs of how the law works, what types of arguments prosecutors will make, and the specifics of the case.
In order to be convicted of this offense, prosecutors must prove that the defendant knowingly and intentionally had control over a substance. This could mean that they had it in their possession or they were in the process of selling it to someone else. A knowledgeable Virginia drug attorney will be able to analyze the facts of the case to determine if there is evidence that the defendant had control over the drug or intent to distribute it.
Manufacturing
Although popular culture may make the possession or distribution of illicit drugs seem like minor offenses, the state of Virginia takes drug crimes seriously. The penalties for a drug crime conviction are typically harsh and include jail time, steep fines and community service. Moreover, a conviction for meth manufacturing can also require you to pay restitution to property owners whose properties were damaged during the production of meth.
A skilled Fairfax, VA drug defense lawyer could help you fight charges related to the manufacture of synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs are madealtering the chemical composition of another drug to create a new substance that is illegal to possess. An attorney would be able to identify instances of illegal searches or seizures and violations of the client’s rights. Attempting to commit any drug crime in Virginia is punished similarly to the actual offense. Virginia Code SS 18.2-257 punishes attempts with 1-10 years in prison. The penalty for actual felony drug crimes depends on the schedule of the drug, the number of prior convictions and whether minors are involved in the case.
Driving Under the Influence
In Virginia it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs. This can include even the use of prescription medication. If the officer believes you are driving while under the influence of any drug that impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely they can charge you with DUI. This also includes if the officer sees you doing something that is considered erratic or unsafe while driving such as failing to turn on your headlights at night, making wide turns, or speeding.
To prove you are guilty of this offense they must show that there was a drug in your system, that the drug impaired your ability to drive, and that there was a direct link between the drug and your impairment. This is a tough case to win without the help of an experienced Virginia drug lawyer. A good attorney can investigate whether anything went wrong during the traffic stop or search and find any other weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.