Drug Charges in Colonial Heights
When a person is accused of committing a drug-related offense, they should expect to be severely prosecuted by the Colonial Heights court system. Accused offenders should act promptly and swiftly in order to increase the likelihood of rendering a positive outcome to their case.
If you are currently facing drug charges in Colonial Heights, be sure to speak with an experienced attorney who could help you clear your name. To get started on building a defense, be sure to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
Things to Expect when Charged with a Drug Offense
When charged with a drug offense, a person may experience different scenarios depending on whether they were charged with possession or a distribution-related charge.
If a person faces a lower-tier possession charge for Schedule 3 through 6 drugs, they may face a misdemeanor in some way, shape, or form. Law enforcement tends to interact with the alleged offender in a more “cordial” manner. The person is unlikely to be arrested and may be given a summons or a ticket to return to court. On the other hand, if a person is in possession of a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 substance, they may be arrested, taken to jail, and charged with a felony. The arrested person would more than likely be given a bond unless there is some aggravating factor to their case.
If a person is charged with possession with intent to distribute, the interaction with the police could be much more aggressive in comparison to a simple possession charge. They could also face a penalty of up to 40 years in prison. Multiple convictions could also carry a mandatory minimum of up to 10 years.
Likelihood of a Drug Charge Being Dropped in Colonial Heights
It is very unlikely that the state would decide to drop a drug offense right away. For a charge to be dropped the court would need a definitive reason to do so. In some cases, charges have been dropped in situations where new evidence arises in a case that casts doubt over the legitimacy of the charge. This is often seen in prescription drug cases where someone was caught with a prescribed substance but they did not have their prescription on them at the time of the arrest. Once an arrested individual is able to produce a verified prescription note, the charge would be dropped relatively quickly.
There have also been instances in which a drug through to be a scheduled drug was sent to the lab and came back as something else. If a lab discovers that the drug was not a controlled substance, then those charges could be dropped.
Potential Mistakes Made by Officers When Issuing a Drug Charge
One of the bigger mistakes made by officers when issuing a drug charge includes constitutional violations. There have been cases in which an illegal search had to have taken place in order to find a controlled substance in someone’s possession. There have also been instances in which statements were taken illegally by not properly Mirandizing the person upon arrest and asking them questions that could ultimately lead to inculpatory responses.
Retain Legal Assistance Today if You Have Been Charged
Due to how seriously the courts in Colonial Heights treat drug-related charges, a person accused of committing such an offense should take the steps necessary to clear their name. However, in order to effectively do so, charged individuals should speak with an attorney who has extensive experience in dealing with these types of cases.
Schedule a consultation with a savvy criminal defense lawyer today. A lawyer could speak with you about the details of your crime, work with you to gather valuable evidence, and help you avoid making costly errors that could have a detrimental impact on your case. Call today to get started.
