It really depends on the circumstances of your case. If you are a first-time offender charged with simple possession of marijuana or other controlled substances, you might be able to get the drug charges dismissed by completing a first-offender program, which may include community service or drug education.
Alternatively, your Virginia criminal defense lawyer might be able to convince the prosecutor to reduce your prison sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. We can challenge the evidence or the procedure of the prosecution and argue that they cannot prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
For example, we might argue there was police misconduct, i.e., the police officer did not have probable cause to search you or your motor vehicle. We could also aruge the substance was not yours or wasn’t a controlled substance or that you had a valid prescription.