So you’ve been charged with possession of marijuana in Fairfax. You’ve been issued a citation, and you’re scheduled to appear in court. Now what?
It’s vital that you know what your rights and options are. If you don’t, you have no way of knowing whether an offer is the best you can get or what the long-term impact will be. Here are the typical options available to someone charged with marijuana possession in Fairfax county.
Do the 251 Program
If you’ve never been convicted of a drug crime, you’re eligible for a deferred disposition. That means your case is continued for six to twelve months on average. During that time, you’ll have to take classes, do community service, and keep out of trouble. You’ll also lose your license for six months, though some judges will let you get a restricted license. If you meet the requirements, your case will be dismissed. If you don’t, you’ll be convicted.
When you go this route, you’ll meet with a program advisor to find out what you’ll need to do. Often the judge will put you in the program without hearing your case as long as you agree to the terms. You can only do the program once, though. You will not be able to take this route again if you have another felony drug charge.
The major pro of the 251 program is that you can avoid a criminal charge on your permanent record. That’s very rare in Virginia. If keeping your record clean is worth the time, money, and hassle of the 251 program, it’s a good option for you.
Hire a Fairfax Marijuana Lawyer
In Fairfax, the Commonwealth Attorney only gets involved when a defense attorney has been hired. When you have a lawyer, you can discuss your case with the prosecutor. That’s a huge benefit. The Commonwealth Attorney has flexibility in how he or she prosecutes a case. If he or she is sympathetic to your case, you may get better terms than even the 251 program. Because of this, hiring a marijuana lawyer is a good idea even if the program is an option for you.
Sometimes you can get your marijuana charge reduced to a possession of paraphernalia charge. That means a smaller fine and no loss of license. The downside is that the conviction will usually be on your record for the rest of your life.
Which should you choose?
We can help. Faraji Rosenthall is an experienced marijuana lawyer. He has handled hundreds of tough marijuana cases in Fairfax. He’ll tell you what to expect when you’ve been charged with possession of marijuana. He’ll also help you understand your options. Just contact us to discuss your case for free.
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