Manassas Drug Manufacture Lawyer

Manufacturing drugs is one of the more serious offenses a person can be charged with in Manassas. If you find yourself facing these charges, a Manassas drug manufacture lawyer should be your first call.

Reaching out to one of our experienced drug manufacture attorneys in Manassas who can begin developing a solid defense on your behalf is the first step you can take toward clearing your name and seeking to have wrongful charges against you dismissed. Call a Manassas drug lawyer today to learn more about what they can do for you.

Drug Manufacturing Charges in Virginia

It is illegal to manufacture controlled substances under Virginia Code 18.2-248, without proper authorization, just as it is illegal to possess, distribute, sell, give or possess with intent to distribute those substances. Not all drug manufacturing charges are treated the same, though.

The severity of drug manufacturing charges depends on the amount and specific level, or so-called schedule, of controlled substance involved in the offense. The harshest penalties are reserved for the illegal manufacture of schedule I and II controlled substances, such as heroin, methamphetamines and cocaine.

Marijuana Manufacturing

Marijuana is also a schedule I controlled substance. Possession of marijuana in Virginia does not have the same severity of penalties as possession of other schedule I substances. Manufacture of marijuana, however, is not granted similar leeway under the law.

Your Manassas drug manufacture lawyer can still pursue reduced penalties for manufacturing marijuana or other drugs, though. This is one reason why it is so important to have an experienced attorney on your side, no matter what kind of controlled substance you are charged with manufacturing.

Penalties for Drug Manufacturing

Penalties for drug manufacturing can be quite serious, especially for the drugs classified as higher schedule controlled substances. Manufacture of a schedule I or II controlled substance other than methamphetamine is punishable by five to 40 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. Manufacturing methamphetamine carries a harsher sentence of 10 to 40 years in prison, in addition to fines.

When deciding on penalties, the court may consider whether the accused was involved in a criminal enterprise or classified as a so-called volume dealer manufacturing especially large amounts of drugs, or whether he or she engaged in an offense that was violent or resulted in the serious injury or death of another person.

Because the court has some discretion when deciding penalties, it is especially important to work with an experienced Manassas drug manufacture lawyer who can demonstrate why your case may call for reduced penalties.

Enhances Penalties

There are also several circumstances that can also trigger enhanced or mandatory minimum penalties for a drug manufacturing offense. Having prior drug-related convictions or deferred charges can result in higher penalties than are typical for first-time offenses. For instance, two or more prior convictions for manufacturing a controlled schedule I or II substance raises the penalty to ten years to life in prison and up to $500,000 in fines, with a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison.

Consult an Experienced Manassas Drug Manufacture Attorney

Drug manufacturing charges can be quite complex and require the help of an experienced Manassas drug manufacture lawyer. Our firm’s drug manufacture attorneys in Manassas understand just how serious such charges can be and will work passionately to defend your reputation and record from unfair accusations.