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Manassas Drug Lawyer

If you are charged with a drug offense, or even just under investigation for a drug offense, it is in your best interest to retain an experienced Manassas drug lawyer immediately to aggressively defend you at every phase of the case.

When charged with possessing, distributing, manufacturing, or selling illegal drugs in the Commonwealth, the penalties upon conviction are severe and can follow you for years after your punishment has been served. A skilled lawyer in Manassas, however, can help you to mitigate the effects of such charges on your personal and professional life.

Working with a Manassas Drug Attorney

A Lawyer Can Assist By:

  • Tailoring a defense plan based on your particular needs and circumstances
  • Preparing you for your court date so that you are relaxed and confident
  • Conducting a thorough background investigation to learn if any evidence was gathered incorrectly and should, therefore, be ruled “inadmissible.”
  • Negotiating plea bargains with the prosecution for lower penalties

There is no substitute for experienced, aggressive representation in a criminal matter. With drug charges in particular, there is often room for interpretation when it comes to proving things like the “intent” to sell something or what it means to “possess” an illegal substance.  This is where your Manassas drug lawyer comes in, capitalizing on the weaknesses of the prosecution’s case in an effort to have your drug charges dismissed or dramatically lessened.

When you contact a Manassas drug attorney, you’re getting more than someone who will stand by your side in court.  Some of the most valuable services offered by a lawyer include:
ct a drug lawyer in Manassas today to conduct your free consultation and take the first step in moving past your difficult drug charges.

Drug Charges in Manassas

There are a variety of possible drug accusations and types of offenses that an individual can be charged with.  Some are misdemeanors, but many are serious felonies.  Variables include the quantity of the drugs that are seized, their type, whether they are limited enough in quantity for personal use, or whether the defendant can be charged with distribution or production. These charges may include any one or combination of the following:

  • Marijuana possession (without a valid prescription) [Virginia Criminal Code 18.2-250.1]
  • Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) [VA Code 18.2-250]
  • Distributing dangerous drugs in certain public areas (such as a school) [VA Code 18.2-255.2]
  • Volume drug cultivation/production, distribution, or sale [VA Code 18.2-248]
  • Federal drug distribution [U.S. Code 21  801]

With so many elements determining the charges and possible penalties against you, an experienced Manassas drug lawyer will not only explain the intricacies of the charges against you, but also help prepare the best possible defense against them.

Possession and Cultivation of Marijuana

Even though many governments and private studies agree that pot poses no more danger to people than alcohol, the laws in most states still treat it as a dangerous, illegal substance.

Drug Lawyer in Manassas VAThe exception, however, is medical marijuana, which must be appropriately prescribed and administered.  First-offense marijuana possession in small amounts (one half ounce or less) is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail.  Probation may be available for a first offense [VA Code 18.2-251].  If the so-called 251 program is completed, the charge against you will be dismissed. A second offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, with up to a $2,500 fine and/or a maximum one year in jail.  Subsequent offenses of those same small amounts are class 6 felonies [VA Code Sections 18.2-250.1(A) and 18.2-11(a)]. Growing or cultivating marijuana or of selling/distributing it is also a felony, depending on the weight. Penalties can be as much as 30 years in prison [VA Code 18.2-248.1(a)(3)].

Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances

Virginia uses the Federal Controlled Substances Schedule to classify the seriousness of drugs.  The schedules are based on each drug’s potential for abuse, and the “redeeming” medical value, if any, that each offers the public.  They are broken down into five categories, but Virginia has a separate (sixth) classification for marijuana.

If you are uncertain of which classifications apply to the charges you’re facing, contact a Manassas drug lawyer who understands the nuances of this complex classification system.

Distribution/Sale of Controlled Substances

If a person is found guilty of manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute a schedule I or II controlled substance other than methamphetamine, the felony conviction brings a penalty of five to 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 [VA Code 18.2-248(C)].

Those found guilty of the same actions when the drug is methamphetamine can receive from 10 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for a first conviction [VA Code 18.2-248(C1)].

For schedule III and IV drugs, distribution is a class 5 felony [VA Code 18.2-248(E1)].  Conviction could bring one to 10 years in prison (or, at the court’s discretion, up to 12 months in jail) and/or a fine of up to $2,500, depending on the actual volume of drugs in question.

Those who are charged with distributing schedule V controlled substances and found guilty of this class 1 misdemeanor can receive up to a year in jail and/or pay a fine of up to $2,500 [VA Code 18.2-248(F)].

Work with an Experienced Legal Advocate

A Manassas drug lawyer will make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case.  There are no guarantees in any legal matter, but hiring a defense attorney quickly can greatly improve your chances of developing a strong, effective defense.  Call today to conduct your free initial consultation.

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