Source: http://virginiacourtlawyer.com/tag/criminal-defense-attorney-virginia-lawyer
Timestamp: 2019-01-16 02:54:37
Document Index: 214108620

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 18', '§ 63', '§ 46', '§ 37', '§ 54', '§ 18', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54']

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Virginia Drug Charge Defense Lawyer
In Virginia, a first offense for possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail. A subsequent conviction becomes a class 1 misdemeanor. In Virginia, to secure a conviction for possession of marijuana, the Commonwealth must prove that the accused was in possession and must also produce lab results certifying that the substance was marijuana. Other drugs which may result in the filing of criminal charges include Heroin, Cocaine, Ecstasy, methamphetamine, and LSD. Independent of the charge, our Virginia drug crime defense lawyers can provide a aggressive defense.
Other Virginia drug criminal charges may include:
* Drug distribution
* Conspiracy to distribute drugs
* Possession of a controlled substance
* Transporting a controlled substance into Virginia
* Manufacturing of controlled substance or manufacturing of drugs
* Drug trafficking and drug importation
* Possession with intent to sell or distribute narcotics
* Possession with intent to sell marijuana
* Possession, manufacturing or distribution of drugs in school or other public property
* Possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance
Transporting a controlled substance into Virginia
Manufacturing of controlled substance or manufacturing of drugs
C. Except as provided in subsection C1, any person who violates this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II shall upon conviction be imprisoned for not less than five nor more than 40 years and fined not more than $500,000. Upon a second or subsequent conviction of such a violation, any such person may, in the discretion of the court or jury imposing the sentence, be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for any period not less than five years and be fined not more than $500,000.
When a person is convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this subsection and it is alleged in the warrant, indictment or information that he has been before convicted of two or more such offenses or of substantially similar offenses in any other jurisdiction which offenses would be felonies if committed in the Commonwealth and such prior convictions occurred before the date of the offense alleged in the warrant, indictment, or information, he shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for a period of not less than five years, five years of which shall be a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment to be served consecutively with any other sentence and he shall be fined not more than $500,000.
C1. Any person who violates this section with respect to the manufacturing of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers or less than 200 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for not less than 10 nor more than 40 years and fined not more than $500,000. Upon a second conviction of such a violation, any such person may, in the discretion of the court or jury imposing the sentence, be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for any period not less than 10 years, and be fined not more than $500,000. When a person is convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this subsection and it is alleged in the warrant, indictment, or information that he has been previously convicted of two or more such offenses or of substantially similar offenses in any other jurisdiction, which offenses would be felonies if committed in the Commonwealth and such prior convictions occurred before the date of the offense alleged in the warrant, indictment, or information, he shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for a period not less than 10 years, three years of which shall be a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment to be served consecutively with any other sentence and he shall be fined not more than $500,000. Upon conviction, in addition to any other punishment, a person found guilty of this offense shall be ordered by the court to make restitution, as the court deems appropriate, to any innocent property owner whose property is damaged, destroyed, or otherwise rendered unusable as a result of such methamphetamine production. This restitution may include the person’s or his estate’s estimated or actual expenses associated with cleanup, removal, or repair of the affected property.
F. Any person who violates this section with respect to a controlled substance classified in Schedule V or an imitation controlled substance which imitates a controlled substance classified in Schedule V, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
G. Any person who violates this section with respect to an imitation controlled substance which imitates a controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. In any prosecution brought under this subsection, it is not a defense to a violation of this subsection that the defendant believed the imitation controlled substance to actually be a controlled substance.
Possession, manufacturing or distribution of drugs in school or other public property
§ 18.2-255.2. Prohibiting the sale or manufacture of drugs on or near certain properties; penalty.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell or distribute or possess with intent to sell, give or distribute any controlled substance, imitation controlled substance or marijuana while:
(i) upon the property, including buildings and grounds, of any public or private elementary, secondary, or post secondary school, or any public or private two-year or four-year institution of higher education, or any clearly marked licensed child day center as defined in § 63.2-100;
(ii) upon public property or any property open to public use within 1,000 feet of the property described in clause (i);
(iii) on any school bus as defined in § 46.2-100;
(iv) upon a designated school bus stop, or upon either public property or any property open to public use which is within 1,000 feet of such school bus stop, during the time when school children are waiting to be picked up and transported to or are being dropped off from school or a school-sponsored activity;
(v) upon the property, including buildings and grounds, of any publicly owned or publicly operated recreation or community center facility or any public library; or
(vi) upon the property of any state facility as defined in § 37.2-100 or upon public property or property open to public use within 1,000 feet of such an institution. It is a violation of the provisions of this section if the person possessed the controlled substance, imitation controlled substance or marijuana on the property described in clauses (i) through (vi) of this subsection, regardless of where the person intended to sell, give or distribute the controlled substance, imitation controlled substance or marijuana. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the authorized distribution of controlled substances.
B. Violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct felony. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for a term of not less than one year nor more than five years and fined not more than $100,000. A second or subsequent conviction hereunder for an offense involving a controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II, or III of the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) or more than one-half ounce of marijuana shall be punished by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year to be served consecutively with any other sentence. However, if such person proves that he sold such controlled substance or marijuana only as an accommodation to another individual and not with intent to profit thereby from any consideration received or expected nor to induce the recipient or intended recipient of the controlled substance or marijuana to use or become addicted to or dependent upon such controlled substance or marijuana, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
C. If a person commits an act violating the provisions of this section, and the same act also violates another provision of law that provides for penalties greater than those provided for by this section, then nothing in this section shall prohibit or bar any prosecution or proceeding under that other provision of law or the imposition of any penalties provided for thereby.
Possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance
§ 18.2-308.4. Possession of firearms while in possession of certain controlled substances.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person unlawfully in possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 to simultaneously with knowledge and intent possess any firearm. A violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony and constitutes a separate and distinct felony.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person unlawfully in possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) to simultaneously with knowledge and intent possess any firearm on or about his person. A violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony and constitutes a separate and distinct felony and any person convicted hereunder shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years. Such punishment shall be separate and apart from, and shall be made to run consecutively with, any punishment received for the commission of the primary felony.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, use, or attempt to use any pistol, shotgun, rifle, or other firearm or display such weapon in a threatening manner while committing or attempting to commit the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, or the possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or distribute a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or Schedule II of the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 or more than one pound of marijuana. A violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony, and constitutes a separate and distinct felony and any person convicted hereunder shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years. Such punishment shall be separate and apart from, and shall be made to run consecutively with, any punishment received for the commission of the primary felony.
For a competent and aggressive defense against Virginia drug charges, contact a Virginia drug charge defense attorney.
Posted in Virginia Crimes | Tagged Controlled Substance, Criminal Defense Attorney Virginia Lawyer, Drug Distribution, Drug Possession, Virginia Criminal Defense, Virginia Drug Attorney, Virginia Drug Charges, Virginia Lawyer | Leave a comment