Hanover VA Possession of Marijuana Lawyer

person rolls marijuana joint and then is arrest for Marijuana possession in virginia and needs to call aq lawyer to get out of jailPossession of Marijuana in Hanover County is a criminal offense according to the Virginia Code. This offense is strictly enforced throughout Hanover County VA and has serious consequences that can drastically affect your freedom & future depending on the evidence of the case and whether the allegation involves possession only or distribution. If you have been accused of illegally possessing marijuana in Hanover County, then you need a skilled Hanover County VA Possession of Marijuana Attorney that understands how to defend marijuana cases in the Hanover County Courts. A marijuana possession conviction can be punishable as follows:

  • Incarceration
  • Maximum $500 fine
  • Suspension of Virginia driving privileges for 6 months.
  • Substance abuse assessment and treatment if necessary
  • Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program 
  • Community Service
  • Loss of employment or employment opportunities
  • Loss of student aid

Virginia’s War on Weed

As the rest of the country has moved toward decriminalization of marijuana, Virginia has been imposing a sharp crackdown. Arrests for weed possession shot up 76 percent from 2003 to 2014 — a stark departure from the 6.5 percent national decline during the same period — and the increase is speeding up, not slowing down. What’s more, the focus has fallen heavier on African-Americans. Blacks used to be arrested for marijuana offenses 240 percent more often than whites; now they’re arrested 330 percent more often. This makes little sense — especially when you can walk into any one of several hundred stores run by the state itself and buy another powerful drug that is even more dangerous. People can and do die from alcohol withdrawal. That’s not true of marijuana. Yet the state rakes in money from booze, which kills tens of thousands of people a year nationwide — and shells out tens of millions of dollars a year to punish people for using pot. Virginia’s political seems ill-inclined to legalize marijuana this year, or perhaps even this century. But the state and its localities need to reconsider the harsh stance they have taken toward the drug. It is not reducing consumption or producing any other apparent benefits, but it is making life harder for citizens who get saddled with criminal records. That’s particularly true for African-Americans, who already face serious obstacles to employment and wealth creation. No one can seem to articulate an intelligent reason for spending so much time, money and effort fighting marijuana use rather than regulating and taxing its sale, as the state does with alcohol. Until someone can, Virginians can only conclude that state and local officials are the ones acting stoned.

Experienced Marijuana Possession Defense Hanover County VA

historic hanover courthouse in hanover county virginia where the first marijuana cases were argued by hanove county lawyersRiley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a prestigious local law firm that has over 40 years of collective experience with Hanover County Possession of Marijuana cases. We can help you understand the charge you are facing, the possible defenses of your case, and the consequences of a conviction. We examine the facts and circumstances surrounding your case – from beginning to end – looking for any and all possible defenses. The typical Hanover County possession of marijuana case will often typically begin with a Deputy Sheriff or Virginia State Trooper being in a lawful position to be investigating a possible suspect for one reason or another. At some point, the law enforcement officer will inevitably conduct some sort of search and recover an alleged amount of marijuana for a case to be initiated. The prosecution must then establish that the defendant was knowingly in possession of the marijuana and had control over the substance. Lastly, the prosecution must prove the plant material recovered was in fact marijuana.

Possession of Marijuana is a Criminal Offense in Virginia

the u.s. Constitution guarantees certain rights of individuals and people accused of criminal offenses. the search and seizure law is critical to any marijuana possession caseEvery possession of marijuana case will trigger a certain amount of constitutional analysis that is controlled by the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects individuals from unreasonable government searches and seizures. Did the law enforcement officer have a lawful reason to stop or detain you? Was any search or seizure of evidence legally conducted? Was a search warrant issued?  In some instances, a properly made objection to the actions of law enforcement can mean the difference between either a conviction or an acquittal, even if you think you are guilty. Do not give up hope and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Hanover VA Possession of Marijuana Lawyer Client Reviews

Possession of Marijuana Reduced to Paraphernalia “Having Riley & Wells defend my interests was the best choice I could have made, after I was charged with Possession of Marijuana. They came to court very well prepared, and their experience was monumental in having my Possession of Marijuana amended to Paraphernalia with a $100 fine. I will never put myself in that type of situation again; however, if the worst happens, then I would not hesitate to call Riley & Wells.” H.L., Richmond, Virginia

Hanover County Possession of Marijuana AMENDED

Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law represented a client from North Carolina who was arrested for Possession of Marijuana by a Virginia State Trooper. Our client, like many, was in a difficult spot. The state trooper properly conducted his investigation and the evidence against our client was strong; however, we negotiated a resolution that protected the client. We were able to have the allegation removed from the marijuana possession drug offense category and amended to reflect a paraphernalia offense. This was key because it protected our client not only from a marijuana conviction, but it protected him from no loss of Virginia driving privileges and no probation requirements such as random drug testing & education that the client was not interested in performing.

We can help! Let us review YOUR case!

11/10/2015 | Updated 2/22/2020