Under state and federal law, there are different classes of drugs and, depending on how dangerous and addictive a substance is, it will be in a specific schedule (category) and the control over that particular substance will be regulated more stringently. In Virginia, controlled substances are put into one of five categories. Virginia’s classification of those substances match the drug classifications that are found in the federal Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970.
Virginia’s Drug Control Act substances are classified in the following way:
- Schedule I: These are substances that can easily be abused and are not medically necessary. This category includes heroin and LSD.
- Schedule II: These substances can easily be abused and are considered addictive and not medically necessary. Cocaine, methamphetamine, and methadone are in this category.
- Schedule III: Substances that are less likely to be abused, are moderately addictive, and may be medically justifiable. Codeine and steroids fall into this category.
- Schedule IV: These substances are less likely to be abused, are mildly addictive, and are medically justifiable. Substances in this category include Valium, Xanax, and other sedatives.
- Schedule V: Substances that have little potential to be abused a low probability of causing addiction, and are accepted as medical treatment. Some cough medicines are included.
- Schedule VI: Substances that are not actually considered drugs but are used or abused for recreational purposes. Substances such as inhalants, and many substances in aerosols are examples in this category.
Drug crimes in Virginia
According to Virginia law, there are three different types of drug crimes: drug possession, drug distribution, and drug manufacturing. If you have been arrested for any of these crimes, a knowledgeable lawyer may be extremely valuable to you. The lawyer can counsel you on the steps to follow and they can offer you a strong defense.
An important thing to keep in mind as you are defending yourself is that your rights were not violated during the arrest. For example, if police performed an illegal search and seizure, the evidence that they gathered would not be admissible in court. In that case, the evidence may be dismissed or the charges against you may be dropped. You will want a strong defense so that you have a chance at a future and so that you can move on from your experiences of the past.
