Strategic And Effective Drug Crime Defense

If you have been charged with a drug crime, you need to act promptly to increase your chances of a successful defense before a judge or jury. A drug crime conviction can severely limit your future opportunities in life.

At Randall & Bruch, PC, we support our clients’ best interests when defending Virginians in local, state and federal courts.

Drug Charges That Our Clients Face

Our defense lawyers often represent clients after they have been charged with offenses such as:

• Possession of unlawful amounts of marijuana, possession of scheduled narcotics, and prescription drugs obtained without prescriptions
• Distribution of marijuana and other controlled substances
• Possession and distribution of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute
• Trafficking of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and other illegal narcotics
• Manufacture or cultivation of controlled substances

Virginia’s Drug Schedules

The Commonwealth of Virginia determines the seriousness of drug crimes partially by classifying drugs into “schedules,” or levels that indicate potential hazards that certain drugs represent, as follows:

Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and carry high risks of abuse. Examples are heroin and LSD.

Schedule II drugs may have limited medical uses, but they also have a high potential for abuse. Examples are cocaine and methamphetamines.

Schedule III drugs, such as steroids and Tylenol 3 (with codeine), have moderate potential for dependency as well as common medical applications.

Schedule IV drugs, such as Valium and Xanax, have more widespread medical use and less potential for abuse than drugs in schedules I-III.

Schedule V drugs are not actually drugs, but rather, substances that people use for pleasurable sensations. Substances such as nitrous oxide found in aerosols are included in this category.

Misdemeanors vs. Felonies

Many of the drug crimes described above are classified as misdemeanors. However, some may be felonies with potentially harsh penalties in addition to the harmful consequences of a felony on one’s criminal record.

Examples of felony drug crimes include the following:

• Knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance without a valid prescription
• Possess any substance listed as a Schedule I or Schedule II substance from the lists above
• Possess large amounts of marijuana, typically considered to be evidence of the intent to distribute

If we defend you in a drug crime case, we will first argue to have your charges classified as misdemeanors. We will then work hard to get your charges dismissed altogether, if possible.

Learn More

Learn about the charges against you and your options for effective defense strategies.

Schedule a free initial consultation about your drug crime case by calling Randall & Bruch, PC, at 757-742-6115 or by sending an email inquiry.