Protect Your Rights in Court
Heroin is considered a dangerous and highly addictive drug. If you are accused of possessing heroin, you are facing the possibility of prison time and various other legal consequences. But in addition to these formal penalties, you are also facing untold damage to your life. Fortunately, we may be able to help.
Some people who are charged with heroin possession see it as a chance to get help for an addiction. If you have a heroin problem and want help, this could be your chance to get treatment and kick the habit.
However, some are busted for heroin possession when they are only a casual user or have never even used it before.
You could be accused of possessing drugs that weren’t even yours. The police do make mistakes, and it is very possible to be in the wrong place in the wrong time with the wrong crowd. In drug situations, the police may just arrest everyone and sort it out later. So lets sort it out in your favor.
Regardless of the details, a local criminal defense attorney like myself can fight to minimize the effects of these charges on your life.
Virginia Heroin Possession Laws and Penalties
Under Virginia law, heroin is classified as a Schedule I substance. This is the most serious classification there is and is reserved for drugs that have the highest risk of abuse and no legitimate medical usage.
If you are charged with possession, you could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine reaching $2,500.
The likelihood that you will face a sentence like this is pretty slim. Especially if you are a first-time offender, you may even be able to avoid prison time altogether.
Heroin Possession Defense Strategies
If this is your first offense, we can use that to your benefit in court. Prosecutors and judges are often willing to offer more lenient treatment to someone who has never been in the criminal system before.
But, even if you have a lengthy criminal record, you still have options.
Virginia has a system of drug courts in place for people accused of crimes like heroin possession who want to get help for their drug problems. If there is a drug court available in the jurisdiction you are charged, you could attend treatment and avoid jail time by participating.
Other defense strategies like negotiating a favorable plea agreement or even fighting the charges at trial can be used depending on the facts of your case. By working with a criminal defense attorney, you can determine the best course of action that will help minimize the repercussions of your criminal case.
If you are charged with heroin possession, contact us today for a free consultation on your case.
If you are facing a drug charge in Virginia, get the benefit of speaking to an experienced local criminal defense attorney right away. Call now for a no-obligation, no-risk, free consultation at (888) 205-9314. Find out what you are facing, and what an attorney can do to help.