The manufacturing, possession, and distribution of certain illegal drugs are considered as a serious crime according to the Arlington Virginia Drug laws. Such activities are restricted at both federal and state level. A person who is convicted of drug offenses can be charged with harsh penalties. The convict can be charged with either felony or misdemeanor. The variation between the penalties depends on the intensity of the crime, age of the culprit and the type of drug that is manufactured, possessed, or distributed. These drugs are classified in 5 schedules as stated in the Arlington Virginia drug laws.
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 defines these schedules as:
- Schedule I: These substances are unsafe and bear a high potential for abuse. The use of these controlled substances is not allowed in the state of Virginia. Heroin, ecstasy, LSD, GHB, Marijuana, etc. are the examples.
- Schedule II: These controlled substances adversely affect the physical and psychological dependency. They also hold a high potential for abuse. For example, cocaine, methadone, Ritalin, Morphine, etc.
- Schedule III: Drugs of schedule III hold less potential for abuse. But can lead to moderate or low psychological dependency as mentioned in Arlington Virginia drug laws. Vicodin, ketamine, Anabolic steroids, etc. are included in this schedule.
- Schedule IV: They bear a low potential and low psychological and physical dependency. This schedule contains tranquilizers, prescribed drugs, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Rohypnol, etc.
- Schedule V: This schedule contains a limited amount of narcotics like cough medicines with codeine.
Drug offense charges:
An individual who is found guilty of possession or distribution of drugs that are illegal can be charged with criminal activity. The drug offenses are charged with felony or misdemeanor. Misdemeanor charges are relatively less severe than felony charges. For the first time offense, the accused can be sentenced to 2 to 10 years in jail with a fine of up to $20,000. These charges can be increased or decreased according to the Arlington Virginia drug laws. The number of prior convictions and the weight of the drugs also affect the charges. It is mandatory for the prosecutor to prove that the accused committed the crime knowingly.
Defenses for the accused:
To be charged with criminal activity can be nerve-racking for the offender. However, it may be possible that the accused did not have the intent to commit the crime. For this purpose, he or she can defend him/herself in the court by providing sufficient evidence that can prove them innocent. The defender can claim that the drugs were prescribed by the physician and the possession was only because of medical necessity. The Arlington Virginia drug laws are difficult to understand. Hiring a specialized attorney can be the best option that an individual can have. These attorneys can give the best possible knowledge about the drug laws and provide a defense process against the penalties that are charged to their clients. They not only help in reducing or dismissing the charges but also assist in exploring plea bargain options.