When you have been charged with a drug crime, the consequences can be severe. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with an attorney who will guide you through this complex area of law and respond aggressively to secure a timely, cost-effective conclusion to your legal problem.
Answers to Your Drug Charge Questions
Whether you are under investigation for drug crimes or charges have already been filed, you want to do everything you can to protect your rights. It is time to get answers to your questions. At the Fairfax County law offices of Briglia Hundley Nuttall & Kay, P.C., our lawyers protect the rights of the accused in the state and federal courts of Virginia. We can answer your questions and help you prepare the best possible defense.
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Drug charges can be particularly difficult to fight because the laws are complex and you often have to deal with issues involving undercover cops and ongoing investigations. In addition, many convictions have mandatory minimum sentencing. With over seventy years of combined experience, our attorneys know how to navigate these issues.
The sooner you take action to fight your drug charge the better. We will step in right away to work with law enforcement and prosecutors in order to get the best possible results. While we fight for an acquittal, we will also work to lower the charges you face and minimize the potential consequences. Contact our Fairfax County, Virginia, Virginia, law office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Alternatives to Incarceration in Drug Cases
Since the late 1980s, there has been a dramatic shift in the approach of the American justice system toward drug crimes. Drug courts, which operate or are being planned in all 50 states, offer an alternative to traditional incarceration. By providing a structure that emphasizes substance abuse treatment and on-going supervision, drug courts aim to rehabilitate and reduce repeat offenses. Consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney at Briglia Hundley Nuttall & Kay, P.C. in Vienna, Virginia to learn about the range of alternatives to jail that may be available to you.
The Drug Court Model
The first drug court was established in Miami, Florida, in 1989. First developed as a way to relieve increased felony caseloads and overcrowded jails and prisons, the drug court movement has gained tremendous momentum throughout the United States. In the decades since then, drug courts now operate, or are being planned, in all 50 states.
Recognizing that incarceration alone has not been an effective solution to breaking the cycle of drug abuse and crime, the drug court model combines criminal justice and medical treatment approaches. Together, it is believed, these methods can help individuals break their dependence on drugs and ultimately take back control of their lives.
While the specific programs and methods used by individual drug courts vary, the emphasis is cooperation by all parties--the court, prosecution, defendant and treatment providers--to rehabilitate individuals with substance abuse problems who have been charged with a drug crime. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment (typically 12 months), counseling, frequent drug testing, and regular court appearances. Related social and educational services may also be part of the process. The progress of each participant is regularly monitored and evaluated, and on-going interaction with judges is a common feature.
While drug courts have tended to focus on low-level and first-time offenders, individuals with more severe substance abuse issues and criminal activity have increasingly come within the drug court's efforts as well.
Successful Outcomes
Participants who comply with drug court terms and conditions often have their sentences reduced or set aside, probation rescinded or charges dropped altogether. Depending on the particular drug court, approaches taken range from diversion to probation. In all cases, however, successful completion means an alternative to going to jail and the chance to break the cycle of addiction.
Learn About Your Options
Being charged with a drug crime, whether or not it is your first offense, does not necessarily have to end in a jail sentence. With the growing emphasis on substance abuse treatment and other non-traditional approaches in the justice system, you may have options. If you are facing a drug charge, call an attorney who is experienced in criminal defense at Briglia Hundley Nuttall & Kay, P.C. in Vienna, Virginia for help in understanding the alternatives available to you.
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