Dealing with a drug crime of any kind can be a serious, overwhelming situation that you may not be prepared to handle on your own. When it comes to drug possession, you could be facing serious consequences if convicted. That’s why it’s so important to enlist the help of an experienced drug crimes lawyer who can advocate for you and help minimize your charges or even have them dismissed entirely. Reach out to a Morgantown drug possession lawyer for a consultation.
At Crowe Law, LLC, our talented lawyer has significant experience in drug crime cases. We can build an effective, strategic defense to minimize the negative impact that drug possession charges have on your life.
Under West Virginia state law, possession of illegal drugs is a misdemeanor that leads offenders to face 90 days to six months in jail and pay up to $1,000 in fines. However, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture can lead to much more severe consequences, including felony charges. Possession with intent to manufacture or deliver Schedule I or II controlled substances may result in up to 15 years in jail and fines of up to $25,000.
You will want an experienced drug crime lawyer who understands the complexities of West Virginia drug crimes and can help guide your case in the right direction. Here are some of the more important qualities you may want to consider looking for in a drug possession lawyer:
To fight the charges against you, you’ll need to hire someone with an eagerness and willingness to fight on your behalf. You’ll want someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for you and represent your interests above their own.
A: There are a number of ways to beat a possession charge in West Virginia if you have an experienced lawyer. One possible way to win your case is a West Virginia state law provision called “conditional discharge.”
Conditional discharge is only available for first-time offenders. If a judge grants it to you, all court proceedings are deferred, and you are granted probation. Once the probation is completed, all charges are dropped against you, and you can apply for an expungement six months later. If you haven’t faced drug charges before, be sure to discuss this with your lawyer.
A: The penalty for possessing a controlled substance in West Virginia is lenient compared to other states. West Virginia state law classifies possession of any amount of most controlled substances as a misdemeanor for first offenders. Yet, if you are convicted of first-offense drug possession, you could face a jail sentence of up to 90 days and a fine of up to $1,000. Subsequent offenders may find their sentences doubled.
A: Yes, there is a chance you could face jail time for a drug possession charge in West Virginia. However, if you are a first-time offender, there is also a good chance you could be given a lesser charge. First-time offenders may be charged with a misdemeanor for possession but could have the case dropped if offered a conditional discharge by the judge.
A: The code for drug possession under West Virginia state law is §60A-4-401. It effectively states that no person will intentionally possess an illegal drug unless they have a valid prescription or are a doctor performing their duties.
Furthermore, it declares that anybody who is convicted of possession of a controlled substance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, be fined up to $1,000, and be imprisoned for a possible 90-day to six-month sentence.
Facing a drug possession charge can be terrifying if you don’t know how to defend yourself or how to fight the charges against you. That’s why speaking to a lawyer with experience helping people with possession charges is so important. The legal team at Crowe Law, LLC, can help you develop your defense and build a case that can help you fight the possession charge or result in a dismissal of the charges altogether. Reach out to speak to a valued team member and learn how we can help.
Looking for legal representation in West Virginia or Pennsylvania? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
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