CRIMINAL OFFENSES
Drug-related Offenses
We help people charged with drug-related offenses minimize or avoid the consequences of conviction through constitutional challenges to the circumstances of an arrest, execution of a search warrant, or traffic stop of a motor vehicle whenever the facts will support a motion to suppress the evidence of the offense charged. For first offenders, we can often obtain referral of your case to Drug Court, which focuses on community-based drug treatment programs and rehabilitation as a constructive alternative to punishment.
Drug related offenses are listed in Code of Virginia § 18.2-250. Possession of controlled substances unlawful.
Judges throughout Ohio consider all drug offenses as serious crimes. The penalties they impose can include long prison sentences, stiff fines/court costs, or in-patient treatment, in addition to a mandatory loss of driving privileges and some professional licenses. If you are a student, a conviction could cause you to lose financial aid. If you are looking for a job, a conviction can mean it will be very difficult to find employment. If you have been convicted of previous felonies, you could be facing life in prison. That reality is why it is so important to contact an experienced, trusted, criminal attorney as soon as you are charged with a drug crime or contacted by law enforcement about any possible charges.
What are some of the Drug-Related Crimes that I can be charged with?
- Drug Possession
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Distribution
- Drug Possession with intent to sell
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Sale of illegal or prescription drugs
- Drug manufacturing or cultivation of drugs
- Illegal conveyance to a correctional institution
If the facts of your case show that conviction of a state or federal offense is a likely outcome, we do everything possible to reduce your sentencing. We can often accomplish this objective through negotiation with the prosecution toward a mutually acceptable guilty plea, or through a well-prepared and persuasive presentation to the court at a sentencing hearing.
Any non-U.S. citizen who at any time after admission has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation relating to a controlled substance is deportable from the United States. However, there is an exception for a single offense involving possession for one’s own use of 30 grams or less of marijuana. For immigration purposes, expungements work only for a first conviction of certain minor drug offenses. It is very important to fight a first drug conviction, since drug convictions have such bad immigration consequences.
IMMIGRATION SERVICES IN HIGHEST DEMAND
United States Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents can sponsor certain family members for permanent residence in the United States. This is the most common method of obtaining one’s “green card.” An individual can apply for a...
An individual may be eligible to become a permanent resident based on an offer of permanent employment in the United States. Most categories require an employer to get a labor certification through PERM and then file Form I-140...
Green cards may be available to investors and entrepreneurs who are making an investment in an enterprise that creates new U.S. jobs. One must invest $1,000,000, or at least $500,000 in a targeted employment area in new commercial enterprise....
A U.S. citizen who intends to marry a foreign national within 90 days of his or her fiancé(e) entering the United States, and both are free to marry, can apply for K-1 fiancé visa. The law requires that the couple met each other, in person...
The H-1B visa classification permits a foreign national to work in the United States for a temporary period. US employer should offer a position of employment that is in a specialty occupation and pay prevailing wage to satisfy H-1B requirement.
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture...
The judge may cancel removal in the case of an individual who is inadmissible or deportable from the United States, if such individual (1) has been an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than 5 years...
All grounds of inadmissibility are listed in INA §212, regardless of the fact that individual is otherwise inadmissible, he or she may be admitted into the United States temporarily by the discretion of the Attorney General.
Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, is legally required for many family-based and some employment-based immigrants to show they will have adequate means of support after immigration to the United States. Every petitioner for his or...
