Northern Virginia Drug Charges Defense Attorney
A drug charge can be a very trying time and can seriously threaten a person’s liberty. Depending on the type of drug found and the amount you are found with, the penalties can range from probation to years in prison. Because there is such a wide range of penalties, it is best to contact our experienced drug charge attorneys who can help you get through these tough times.
For those charged with drug crimes it may be possible to have these charges reduced pending the completion of a successful drug treatment program. This is especially true if a person is just charged with simple possession of a small amount of drugs without any violent criminal charges or burglary charges. A thorough drug charges lawyer may be able to get you into a treatment program which will not only potentially keep these charges off your record but also help you get your life back on track.
But there are times when the police go too far in searching for drugs and they break the law in finding evidence. Our attorneys will fight the charges and force the state to meet its burden of proof. Evidence can be inadmissible if it comes from:
- Illegal searches
- Improper chain of custody
- Improper motor vehicle stops
If the police illegally or improperly search you to obtain evidence, it can be considered “fruit of the poisonous tree” and be suppressed. This will likely mean that the drug charges against you will be dropped as if they never happened. We will fight for you in ensuring rights are upheld and that the police did not overstep their boundaries in search for drugs.
If we are unable to suppress the evidence, we will focus getting you the best outcome for your case depending on the severity of the charges. The seriousness of the charges oftentimes depends on the seriousness of the offense as well as the amount of illegal substances involved.
If you knowingly possess illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD or ecstasy you may be facing drug possession charges. If you possess drug paraphernalia, including items used in making and using drugs, you may also face drug possession charges. Depending on the amount involved, type and geographical region, the severity of the drug possession charges may vary.
You do not need to be found with drugs on you in order to be charged with drug possession, but can be charged even if you just had knowledge the drugs were nearby.
If you grow, produce or possess certain plants or other naturally-occurring elements or utilize certain chemicals or other materials to make illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD or ecstasy, you may be facing drug cultivation or drug manufacturing charges.
If you sell, give, distribute or possess with the intent to distribute illegal drugs and substances, such as some of the aforementioned ones, you may be facing drug distribution and transportation (or trafficking) charges.
There are several factors that may be used as evidence of intent to distribute a controlled substance, such as the quantity of the drugs seized, the manner in which they are packaged, and the presence of an unusual amount of cash, equipment related to drug distribution, or firearms.
If you are facing any type of drug charges, the Law Offices of Patrick N. Anderson and Associates is ready to fight for you. For 34 years, we have successfully fought for defendants in drug cases and we are ready to put our experience to work for you. We can help get these drug charges removed from your record and defend your liberty. Our legal expertise spans across the Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, and Northern Virginia parts.
