New Kent Drug Lawyer

Some of the most common drug crimes in New Kent are simple possession of marijuana, simple possessions of schedule one and schedule two drugs, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, marijuana is illegal; however, in some surrounding areas, such as DC, it has been decriminalized. Many believe that marijuana charges are not serious because of this, however, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, that is incorrect. Since marijuana has become more accepted across the nation and has been decriminalized in a nearby territory, people often mistakenly believe that the consequences are nominal, if arrested for charges related to it.

All drug crimes, however, are serious in Virginia. Police departments devote focus and mission teams to stopping the sale, manufacture, and possession of drugs. Consequently, an attorney is necessary to navigate, investigate, and defend the nuances and constitutional elements that are present in every drug case.

Drugs charges in New Kent are intimidating because they can lead to long prison sentences and expensive court fines. Further, constitutional rights can be lost upon conviction and there is a social stigma involved with being branded as an addict or a dealer. For these reasons, it is crucial to have a New Kent criminal lawyer on your side to provide a strong defense and to work toward minimizing penalties as much as possible. To learn more or get started on your defense, call and schedule a consultation with a New Kent drug lawyer today.

Classification of Drugs

Drugs are classified under Virginia code section 54.1-3446 through 54.1-3456. In general, the more serious drugs have lower schedule classifications. For example, being in possession of schedule one and schedule two drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, is a felony offense, while possession of a schedule six drug is a misdemeanor.

Research shows that schedule one and schedule two drugs generally have a harsher effect on the body and the brain, and have a more negative impact on society at large. Given that fact, charges associated with possession or sale of those drugs are more serious, although an experienced New Kent drug lawyer can help combat potential consequences.

Enforcement of Laws

Law enforcement officers in New Kent are trying to crack down on possession, distribution, and manufacturing of all scheduled drugs. This includes Codeine, methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription drugs without a valid prescription.

New Kent officers use their training and experience to find marijuana and to notice patterns that suggest drug activity. They use that information to get search warrants, which they hope will lead to arrests.

Police officers are taught to notice and recognize potential narcotic situations and with experience, they become better at tracking it. They use informants, and upon arrest, they encourage individuals to give information on other offenders in the area, promising leniency in court. When the prosecution has all these resources on their side, it is incredibly important that a person consult a New Kent drug lawyer to build a defense.

Constitutional Issues

The Fourth Amendment protects the citizens of the United States from illegal searches and seizures. There has to be probable cause to search and seize individuals, and whether or not that exists is an issue that is involved in nearly every drug case. The Fifth Amendment provides individuals with the right to remain silent, which is also a constitutional issue that is present and prevalent in most drug cases.

Contacting a New Kent Drug Attorney

As soon as you find out that you are being investigated, you should contact and hire an attorney. If you are aware of an investigation before arrest, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the arrest. A New Kent drug attorney will assist you in pre-trial matters, including bond, and file any motions that need to be filed. They will represent you during your trial, and argue sentencing if necessary. The sooner an attorney is hired, the stronger their defense of you will be.