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Loudoun County Drug Lawyer

Virginia is not very tolerant of drug offenses.  Categorized within the state code in varying degrees from misdemeanor to felony offenses, the severity of penalties is dependent upon the type of drug, amount of drug, and whether the drug is intended for sale or personal use.  Whether you are charged with a first offense or a fifth offense, whether the charges are for possession of drug paraphernalia or for the manufacture of methamphetamine, whether you were caught with a couple of prescription pills or a large quantity of Ecstasy, you need the help of a Loudoun drug lawyer to guide you through your legal battle.  Vast experience with drug charge defense in Loudoun County will allow your attorney to help you fight your charges and minimize the penalties you incur. If you need assistance or have questions about a different kind of criminal matter in Loudoun County, call today.

Advantages of  a Loudoun Drug Lawyer

When facing criminal charges for a drug crime, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, it is important that you have a knowledgeable legal representative in your corner.  Loudoun County drug lawyer Donna Murphy has successfully defended clients in various cases throughout Northern Virginia, and will put this experience to work to review every aspect of your arrest and determine the best method of defense.  To get started on fighting the penalties the prosecution is likely to pursue, place a call today for a free case consultation.

Types of Drug Offenses

Drug charges and the associated penalties vary greatly as they may be charged as a single offense or in combination with other offenses.  Drug charges may include one or more of the following:

  • Prescription fraud
  • Marijuana possession
  • Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)
  • Drug manufacture/cultivation
  • Drug distribution
  • Intent to distribute/sell
  • Distribution or intent to distribute drug paraphernalia
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia

A conviction for drug charges can lead to fines, imprisonment, community service, probation, mandatory enrollment in a drug rehabilitation program, and a criminal record that can haunt you for years to come.

If you are facing drug charges, you probably have many questions about the penalties for your particular charges and the long-term effects a drug crime conviction can have on your future job opportunities, housing options, and personal and professional relationships.  A knowledgeable Loudoun County drug attorney can answer your questions and help you understand the gravity of the charges you are facing.

Building a Defense

The evidence that can lead to your conviction is the evidence collected by the arresting officers and other law-enforcement personnel at the time of your arrest.  If the evidence-collecting is not performed in the proper manner, the evidence that could incriminate you could prove to be inadmissible, leading to a dismissal of your charges. Your Loudoun drug lawyer can file motions to suppress certain evidence.

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution states:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Plainly stated, this amendment protects you from the improper search of your personal property, including yourself, without the police having probable cause to suspect criminal activity.

Search of your vehicle, although not as highly restricted as that of your home and self, must still be done in the appropriate manner.  Probable cause is enough to allow an officer to search any given area of your vehicle, but the search may only be performed on a particular area of the vehicle which causes suspicion of criminal activity or evidence.  For example, if the officer sees a pill bottle lying on the passenger side floor, he may search that area of the vehicle and collect the evidence found therein.  That alone does not give him the right to search the trunk or back seat.

Hiring A Loudoun County Drug Lawyer

If you have been charged with a drug crime, and incriminating evidence has been collected against you, it is the job of your legal representative to determine if the evidence was properly obtained by authorities.  An experienced drug lawyer in Loudoun County knows how to evaluate the details of your arrest to determine if your Fourth Amendment rights were violated, thereby potentially negating the prosecution’s evidence against you.