Violation of the Uniformed Controlled Substances Act (VUSCA) can be a felony or misdemeanor charge, depending on what the facts of the arrest are. For example, possessing marijuana as a minor is a misdemeanor, whereas manufacturing or possessing methamphetamine or cocaine is a felony.
Penalties may be as low as a 90 day jail sentence and a $1000 fine or as big as life in prison and a $50,000 fine. If you are convicted of a felony based on your arrest, your record will follow you throughout life and make it difficult for you to get employment, good housing and possibly harder to get into college.
If you are found guilty of one of these crimes under the age of 21 you will lose your license. Anyone convicted of a drug crime can not receive federal financial aid for college.
Miller Law Group has experience dealing with criminal drug charges including:
- Delivery of various drugs (including cocaine, methamphetamine (meth), heroin, marijuana)
- Drug paraphernalia possession
- Manufacture (including heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine (meth))
- Possession (all types of drugs including street and prescription drugs)
- Possession of forged prescriptions
- Sale of controlled substances
- Sale of counterfeit drugs (bunk drugs)
One alternative to a traditional jail sentence that may be appropriate in some cases is a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (or DOSA for short.) Washington state offers drug offenders alternative sentencing options, including a specialized Drug Court and what is known as the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA). With DOSA, a person charged with a drug crime can get drug treatment options rather than extensive prison terms. You can only receive this option with the help of an experienced attorney in who knows about the program. Miller Law Group is happy to help explain your options if you are charged with a drug crime. We want to help resolve your case so you can move on with your life!