Facing charges for drug possession in Virginia? One question you might have is how drug crimes are classified. Penalties for drug crimes in Virginia depend on the classification of the controlled substance found in your possession. Below are the five schedule classes of drugs, as per the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
- Schedule I drug class: These are drugs that have a high potential for abuse, and for which there is at this time no legitimate, accepted medical treatment use. Some examples of drugs in this class include ecstasy (MDMA), heroin, LSD. Marijuana (pot) is considered a schedule I drug, however penalties are not as severe for marijuana possession as they are for others in this class.
- Schedule II drug class: These drugs also have a high potential for abuse, however they do have some accepted medical uses, albeit ones that are highly restricted. Examples of schedule II drugs include crystal meth (methamphetamine), methadone, morphine, PCP, cocaine, Ritalin.
- Schedule III drug class: These drugs have a potential for abuse that is less than schedule I or II drugs. They also have legitimate, accepted medical uses. Examples include Codeine and hydrocodone (i.e. Vicodin, Lorcet, Dolacet), ketamine (Special K), anabolic steroids.
- Schedule IV drug class: Compared to schedule I, II, and III drugs, these have a low potential for abuse and also have legitimate medical uses. Common schedule IV drugs include prescription medications like Valium, Xanax, Rohypnol, Darvon, Equanil, Talwin.
- Schedule V drug class: These are the least likely of all the drug classes to be abused, and do have accepted medical uses. For example, codeine based cough medications are considered schedule V drugs.
Need Help Fighting Drug Charges?
Regardless of what class of drug you are accused of possessing, you deserve justice and fair treatment under the law. The penalties for possession can be very serious, and can follow you for the rest of your life. A skilled Virginia criminal defense attorney can protect your rights and fight to have the charges against you dismissed or reduced.
Don’t waste any time: please contact the Norfolk based criminal defense lawyers at Tavss Fletcher today, and see what a difference experienced and determination can make in your case.
TAVSS FLETCHER
RBC Centura
555 East Main Street, 14th Floor
Norfolk, VA 23510
Telephone: (757) 625-1214
Facsimile: (757) 622-7295