Drug Crimes
Drug charges, regardless of how minor or severe they may seem, carry with them the possibility of life altering consequences upon conviction. With time, Virginia legislature has grown increasingly harsher when drafting laws pertaining to the possession and/or distribution of illegal and sometimes even legal substances. At this point, in York County and surrounding areas like Newport News, Gloucester County, Williamsburg, James City County and Hampton, drug arrests account for a vast number of reported criminal incidents. Just because you stand accused of a crime doesn’t mean you are guilty of one. Defending yourself properly in a court of law with proficient legal representation is the key to maintaining your freedom, clearing your name and moving on with your life after being charged with a drug crime in Virginia.
Location Plays a Major Role in the Severity of VA Drug Charges, Therefore the Location of Your Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Should be of the Utmost Importance to You
When seeking the aid of a legal representative, location is an important and often overlooked element in the judicial process. Why is your lawyer’s location so important? The reason is that drug laws tend to vary from state to state, sometimes even from county to county. Additionally, your location at the time of being accused of a drug crime could significantly impact the severity of punishments you’re facing. For example, if you were charged with possession (even of a seemingly minor substance like marijuana or someone else’s prescription) while in a school zone, the penalties you’re facing might be much worse than the penalties you would face if the same incident allegedly occurred outside a school zone. York attorney Mark A. Smith has been practicing law for 25 years. Over this extended period of time, he has become incredibly familiar with Virginia roads, Virginia school zones, and Virginia law enforcement. He brings with him an abundance of local legal knowledge, all of which will be at your disposal should you choose to hire him as your attorney.
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Virginia Drug Crime Charges — Myths vs. Reality
Possession and distribution of drugs is a very broad area, legally speaking. As such, this area of practice is subject to misinterpretation by the masses. For example, many Virginia residents believe that being charged with the possession of legal drugs isn’t nearly as detrimental as being charged with the possession of illegal substances. This is simply not true. Prescription abuse is rumored to be on the rise locally as well as nationally and law enforcement is cracking down on activities like taking other people’s prescriptions. Also, many residents are of the belief that incidents involving marijuana always end with a “slap on the wrist”. This is also untrue. If you have been accused of any of the following offenses in York County, VA or a neighboring region, you should contact a drug lawyer immediately:
- Possession of an illegal substance
- Possession of a legal substance that doesn’t belong to you
- Forging false prescriptions
- Possession with intent to sell
- Drug distribution
- Drug trafficking
- Any drug related crime that took place in or near a school zone
The Consequences You Could Face Upon Conviction
Being convicted of a drug crime in the state of Virginia could result in:
- Incarceration
- House Arrest
- Excessive Fines
- A Criminal Record
- All of the Above
Conviction of drug charges could alter your life irreversibly, but right now you are only facing an accusation. Put your future in the hands of a highly respected professional, one who has over a quarter of a century of legal knowledge at his disposal, by contacting York County drug crime attorney Mark A. Smith at 757-833-6909. Consultations are free. Failure to obtain a legal representative could cost you everything.