McLean, VA Drug Distribution Attorney

Drug Crimes Attorney Securing Outstanding Results in Drug Distribution and Drug Trafficking Cases in McLean, Virginia

Being accused of drug distribution or drug trafficking can put your future in serious jeopardy. If you are convicted, you might struggle in many areas of your life. Felony drug offenders are often denied opportunities like good jobs, housing, and higher education. Even if you are not a habitual drug user, much less a habitual drug seller, others may assume that you are without giving you the chance to explain.

Fortunately, you will have the chance to fight back in court with the help of a skilled attorney. Your lawyer can provide guidance on the best defense strategies, working to demonstrate that you did not engage in drug distribution or did not intend to distribute substances to others. When you have a strong legal defense, your attorney may take your case to trial and fight to secure an acquittal or have the charges dismissed.

Noorishad Law, P.C. has been recognized by reputable professional organizations like Super Lawyers, the National Trial Lawyers, and the American Institute of Criminal Attorneys for the outstanding results we consistently deliver. Experienced McLean, VA drug distribution and drug trafficking attorney Kaveh Noorishad strives to make the impossible possible. He will take on even the most challenging drug crime cases with a high degree of confidence.

What Is Drug Distribution?

Drug distribution is a fairly broad term. Virginia's drug distribution statute certainly covers those who habitually sell drugs. However, you could also be charged with this serious drug crime for simply sharing a prescription medication with one other person. Giving, selling, or handing out drugs to others are all considered forms of drug distribution. Possession with intent to distribute is also covered under drug distribution laws.

For example, say you and a few friends plan to attend a rave and take MDMA. You happen to have the day off from work, so you are tasked with picking up the MDMA from a supplier your friend knows. When you meet up later in the evening, you set the MDMA on a table, and each person takes a dose. If law enforcement investigators observe these activities and arrest you, you could be charged with drug distribution, because you delivered the drugs to other people.

What Are the Penalties for Drug Distribution in Virginia?

Drug distribution is almost always a felony offense that carries serious consequences upon conviction. The exact penalties you may face will depend on several factors, including the quantity and type of drugs involved. Distributing hard drugs like methamphetamine or heroin will typically result in a harsher sentence than distributing drugs with a lower risk of abuse and an accepted medical use, like Xanax or codeine.

Prison time is very likely if you are convicted of drug distribution. Harsh mandatory minimum sentences apply in some cases, especially if you have been charged with drug distribution more than once. There is a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison for a second offense involving a Schedule I or II drug. If you are deemed a large volume dealer, you could face extremely strict sentencing that could include life in prison. Virginia courts are notoriously harsh on higher-level drug offenders.

What Is Drug Trafficking?

Drug trafficking involves bringing illicit substances into the state of Virginia with the intention of selling or distributing them. If the quantity of drugs you allegedly possessed would have been sufficient for a possession with intent to distribute charge, you may be charged with drug trafficking if you were caught entering the state.

Importing even one ounce of a Schedule I or Schedule II drug, such as cocaine, heroin, or opioids like morphine, into the state of Virginia can lead to a drug trafficking charge. For many people who struggle with addiction, one ounce of these drugs serves as a short-term personal supply. However, the state may presume an intent to distribute based on the quantity of the substance alone.

Multiple Drug Trafficking Charges

If you are charged with drug trafficking for a second time, the penalties you could face will be much harsher. There is a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for a repeat drug trafficking offense. The court may assume that you are a habitual criminal involved in a high-level drug distribution scheme, even if you were only carrying a supply for yourself. These extremely harsh penalties are designed to limit the flow of drugs into Virginia. However, these laws often disproportionately affect people who suffer from substance abuse disorders.

What Constitutes "Intent to Distribute"?

There are a variety of factors that may be considered by courts in cases involving allegations of the intent to distribute controlled substances. They include:

• Quantity: If you were found in possession of an amount of drugs that is higher than someone would ordinarily possess for their own personal use, this may be a reason to claim that you had an intent to distribute. However, if the quantity was small, our lawyer may argue that the drugs were for your personal use. There is no specific limit on the quantity at which a charge of simple possession may be elevated to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
• Giving Drugs to Others: If you allegedly passed some of a controlled substance to the person next to you, you can be charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
• Packaging: The manner in which drugs are stored may indicate an intent to distribute. If substances have been separated into multiple small containers, this could be used to claim that each container was meant to be sold or distributed to different people. For example, cocaine that was packaged in two separately wrapped blocks has been used as evidence showing that the drugs were meant to be distributed.
• Testimony From Experts: Statements from the arresting officer or testimony from another expert on how drugs may be packaged or distributed may be factors that the Court will consider when determining whether there was an intent to distribute drugs.
• The Money Involved in a Case: The presence of an unusually large amount of cash may suggest that profits were earned from the sales of drugs.
• Paraphernalia Used for Drug Distribution: If items such as scales, baggies, or razor blades were found during a search along with drugs, this may serve as evidence that the drugs were intended to be packaged and distributed.
• Absence of Drug Paraphernalia for Personal Use: If police did not find any items used to take drugs, such as pipes or syringes, this may be used to support claims that you did not possess the drugs for personal use and that you intended to distribute the drugs to others.

Contact Our McLean Drug Distribution and Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney

Noorishad Law, P.C. will aggressively defend you against accusations that you have sold or distributed controlled substances. Dedicated McLean, Virginia drug trafficking defense lawyer Kaveh Noorishad will do all he can to help you. Contact us at 703-542-4500 for a complimentary consultation.