Virginia Drug Offenses

Virginia criminal laws cover a wide range of drug offenses, and statistics indicate that police are persistent in pursuing those who violate them. Data from the Virginia Department of Police Crime Reports show that there are more than 15,100 arrests for drugs, narcotics, and related equipment violations every year. Depending on the circumstances, you could face misdemeanor or felony charges that can lead to long jail sentences and huge fines.

Considering these severe penalties, retaining legal counsel is critical if you were arrested on drug charges. Hampton Injury Law PLC is knowledgeable about defenses, but we will also pursue other strategies for resolving your case in your favor. Please contact the firm to schedule a case evaluation with a Virginia drug offenses lawyer. An overview of the relevant laws is also useful.

Types of Drug Crimes

The key to understanding how the laws work is analyzing two factors, starting with the nature of the drugs. Virginia uses a system of schedules: Schedule I is the most serious, while Schedules III and VI include many drugs available by prescription.

The second important aspect of a drug offense case is misconduct. A common drug offense is possession, in which you have a controlled substance on your person or otherwise under your management and control. Manufacturing, cultivating, distributing, and trafficking drugs are also unlawful, and the charges are generally more severe than possession for individual use.

Marijuana is in a category of its own, with possession of small amounts being punishable by 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Penalties if Convicted for Drug Offenses

The punishment for drug-related offenses in Virginia varies significantly because of the wide range of controlled substances and unlawful acts. For a misdemeanor, your potential jail sentence could be up to one year, along with a $2,500 fine. A conviction for a lower-level felony is punishable by five to 10 years in prison, and the penalties increase for large amounts of Schedule I drugs. A judge may order a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years of incarceration. Some repeat offenders might be looking at life behind bars.

What to Do if You Were Arrested for a Drug Crime

Your first priority should be exercising your right to counsel, so request to speak to your criminal defense lawyer right away. In addition, you can support the efforts of Hampton Injury Law PLC when you keep in mind some tips: 

• Never resist arrest.
• Do not make any statements or answer questions without your attorney present. You could say something to incriminate yourself.
• If you are taken into court before retaining a lawyer, it is usually in your best interest to plead not guilty to the charges.

Call Now to Speak to a Virginia Drug Offenses Attorney

You can help protect your rights by following these tips, but you will need experienced representation for the remaining stages of the case. Hampton Injury Law PLC is prepared to handle the complicated legal tasks involved with your defense, from your first appearance to trial, if necessary. To set up a case evaluation with an experienced Virginia drug crimes lawyer, please contact our firm today.