subject: Drug Charges Have Serious Consequences In Virginia [print this page] Drug Charges Have Serious Consequences In Virginia
If you have been charged with a drug offense in Virginia, it is important that you understand some of the serious penalties you could be facing. Good legal representation can prevent you from losing your rights, your education, and your future. Whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor depends on the type of drug you are accused of being involved with. In Virgina, even a trace amount of certain drugs, or the residue on a smoking piece, is enough to charge you with possession.Simple possession of certain drugs, if you are not charged with intent to sell, is a misdemeanor. In addition, there is no threshold to charge with intent to distribute. Even passing a small amount to friends could result in a much more serious charge. The penalties for possession with intent to distribute are more severe with larger amounts.Fines for the most serious possession cases can be up to $1 million. Intent to sell to a minor or possession in a school zone will also result in more serious charges. For simple possession, a first offense can result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $500. A second offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious class, and up to a year in jail and a $2500 fine.A drug charge of any kind may result in your driver's license being suspended for at least six months. The license suspension is a mandatory sentence, meaning a judge must hand it down if you are convicted. If you can't drive, it could have a major impact on your ability to work, or go to school. You also may have to go on probation, or otherwise prove good behavior to the court.You could have to take mandatory drug tests, complete community service, or pay for court-ordered drug treatment. Speaking of school, even a first time charge of possession, or possession of paraphernalia, could disqualify you from getting federal student loans and grants, making it nearly impossible to finance a college education. Additionally, colleges, graduate schools, and law schools may ask about criminal convictions in your admission application. Future employers, landlords, or even insurance agents may also consider a drug conviction on your record.Possession of heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy, LSD, or cocaine will result in a felony, a very serious charge, which could send you to prison and result in thousands of dollars in fines, as well as loss of your civil rights to vote, or own a weapon. Possession of even a trace amount of these substances could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Possession with intent to distribute could put you behind bars for up to 40 years. If you have been charged with a drug offense, there are ways that a skilled attorney can avoid a conviction or work to minimize the consequences.
