Manassas Drug Distribution Lawyer

Distributing drugs in Virginia is a serious offense carrying harsh penalties, and if you have been charged with drug distribution, it’s important to immediately consult an experienced Manassas drug distribution lawyer.

Whether you have never been charged with a drug-related offense before or you have prior drug convictions on your record, your Manassas drug distribution attorney can seek to have the charges against you deferred, reduced or dismissed. Call and schedule a consultation with a Manassas drug lawyer today to learn more.

Drug Distribution Charges in Manassas

While in some states, drug distribution is its own distinct charge carrying unique penalties, in Virginia drug distribution is treated the same as manufacturing, selling, giving, or possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. Under Virginia Code 18.2-248, the severity of the alleged offense depends on the level, type and amount of controlled substance involved.

Your Manassas drug distribution lawyer can analyze the evidence against you and the specific facts in your case to determine whether the charges brought against you were appropriate or not.

Enforcement

Cracking down on drug distribution is a priority for Manassas law enforcement. Drug distribution is one area of the law where we most frequently see sting operations, raids, and searches as well as the use of confidential informants. Law enforcement uses every tool at their disposal to attempt to detect as well as prosecute those who are distributing drugs. One of the most common ways this occurs is for an individual to be arrested for drug possession and offered leniency in their case if they assist the police in identifying drug dealers and participating in controlled buys. It is frequently the case that those who are in the business of selling drugs at some point find themselves selling to someone who is either a police officer or a confidential informant who is an agent of the police for purposes of the transaction.

Penalties for Drug Distribution

Penalties for drug distribution in Virginia depend on several factors and range significantly. Distributing a schedule I or II substance other than methamphetamines – like heroin or cocaine – carries a penalty of five to 40 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines, for example.

If certain thresholds are met for the amount of controlled substance distributed, enhanced penalties may be triggered. Distributing more than 500 grams of heroin or cocaine, for instance, is a felony punishable by up to $1 million in fines and life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years.

Other circumstances present can also trigger heightened penalties. Distributing a controlled substance to a minor or in an area where minors tend to congregate (like near a school, bus stop, day care, library, or recreation or community center) carries a penalty of up to 50 years in prison and $100,000 in fines, with a mandatory five year sentence attaching if the drug was a schedule I or II substance.

No matter what type of drug you are accused of distributing or what circumstances may have led to your arrest, your Manassas drug distribution attorney can help by pursuing reduced penalties.

Marijuana Distribution

While marijuana use and distribution is still illegal in Virginia, the law does treat marijuana offenses differently than other schedule I substances, particularly in cases involving only a small amount of marijuana. Distributing less than one ounce of marijuana to minors carries a mandatory penalty of two years in jail, which, while serious, is less than the mandatory minimum called for in similar instances involving other drugs.

Work with a Drug Attorney From Our Firm

Due to the serious penalties and fines that can occur if convicted, it is important you don’t take any chances and call a Manassas drug distribution lawyer as soon as possible to begin building your defense. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case.