Warrenton Drug Lawyer

Misdemeanor and felony drug charges are stressful, and they come with the possibility of you suffering a permanent mark on your record. That is why it’s important to start working with an experienced legal advocate early on in the process. Call a Warrenton drug lawyer today if you would like to get a better sense of the defense options available to you. Our Fauquier County drug lawyers have local experience practicing in the Fauquier county court system and are available to help you.

Warrenton Drug Charges

If you have been arrested for possession, trafficking, drug distribution or another narcotics-related offense, it’s important to remember that all of these different charges require the prosecution to prove a different set of elements in order to secure a conviction.  Our Warrenton drug attorneys have extensive experience defending clients against a variety of drug charges, including:

• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession with intent to sell, distribute or traffic drugs
• Manufacturing or growing
• Possessing a firearm while in possession of controlled substances
• Conspiracy to commit a drug-related crime

In Virginia, the potential penalties for drug convictions can vary due to a variety of factors that include the prior criminal history of the defendant. The type, or schedule, or drug involved in the alleged crime is also a significant factor in determining the extent of the penalties. However, an experienced Virginia drug attorney can often work with prosecutors in order to have charges reduced or eliminated entirely.

Drug Schedules in Virginia

The Controlled Substances Schedule that classifies the seriousness of drugs is based on each drug’s potential for abuse, and the medical value – if any – they have been found to possess. They are broken down into six categories. Drugs listed in Schedule I and II are considered the most serious and dangerous and, as such, may result in more severe penalties.

• Schedule I includes drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, LSD, and other hallucinogens, See VA Code Ann. Section 54.1-3556;
• Schedule II includes cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, crystal meth, morphine, and PCP, See Section 54.1-3448;
• Schedule III includes anabolic steroids, codeine, and hydrocodone (and its derivatives), ketamine, and high-level barbiturates, See Section 54.13450;
• Schedule IV – Reserved mostly for prescription drugs such as Darvon, Talwin, Equanil, Valium, Rohypnol (“roofies”), Xanax, and a variety of other stimulants and tranquilizers, See Section 54.1-3452;
• Schedule V – Primarily codeine- and opiate-based medications, See Section 54.1-3454;
• Schedule VI – Medications not included the previous schedules that are not generally recognized by drug experts for safe use and that are required by law to bear prescription or “Rx only” labels. See Section 54.1-3455.

Possession of Marijuana in Warrenton, VA

The most common misconception about drug charges in Warrenton is that the simple possession of marijuana is not a serious offense. Possession of marijuana is still a federal offense and it is still a criminal offense in the Commonwealth. This portion of the state code states that it is illegal for anyone to knowingly possess the drug without a valid prescription or through authorized means. A first time conviction for possession of marijuana can result in no more than 30 days in jail, a fine up to $500, or both. Those with prior marijuana possession convictions face a Class 1 misdemeanor, which, if found to be true can result in up to one year behind bars and/or a fine of $2,5000.

Our Lawyers Can Help

As you can see, the Commonwealth of Virginia can be very tough on drug-related offenses, even for those facing first-time charges. If you have been charged in Warrenton, or if you believe you may be under investigation for drug charges, contact a Warrenton drug lawyer with our firm right away to learn about your rights.