Facing drug charges can be intimidating, especially if this your first drug offense. It is important to work with experienced legal counsel that can help you navigate the drug trial process. If you face Fairfax drug charges, consult a knowledgeable drug attorney that can advocate for you. A local drug lawyer could devote the time and resources necessary to defend your case.
The most commonly-seen drug crimes in Fairfax are possession of marijuana, Schedule I and Schedule II substances, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of marijuana and the Schedule I and Schedule II substances.
The nature of the crime will determine the way in which the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office goes about charging the plaintiff, beginning with simple possession. Generally, possession offenses are viewed as more of an addiction issue as opposed to a criminal issue. The Fairfax Police Department are often trying to crack down on the distribution and the possession with intent to distribute of all the scheduled drugs, which are I through V.
When dealing with simple possession, the Virginia Code has codified certain ways somebody who may be a first offender can go about having their matter dismissed without having to go through the trial and legal process. This process is what is referred to as the first-offender program.The program may give the individual an opportunity through to have a first-offense felony possession or first-offense possession of marijuana charge dismissed after a certain amount of time. The program requires someone to agree to:
By completing the first-offender program, an individual may have the opportunity to mitigate the Fairfax drug charges that they face.
Cases with drugs that are medically approved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if they are illegally possessed or are being abused. Fairfax tends to be slightly more liberal than other jurisdictions and will look to assist those individuals dealing with addiction.
Those prosecuting addiction cases in Fairfax often look for programs to avoid placing people in jail for possessing these substances if they are dealing with some form of addiction issue. Absent that addiction issue, for possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and things like that, an individual is looking at getting the max. They are looking to prosecute that person to the fullest extent of the law.
If you face Fairfax drug charges it is important to work with a lawyer who understands the procedures, the drug trial process, the ways in which the judges go about punishing possessions, and the way in which the prosecutors look to adjudicate possession offenses. Your attorney could help you make a decision on what you would like to do with the case and can also advise you on how to move forward. Work with a skilled attorney and know that you are in capable hands.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
