Recently, a Franklin County man found himself faced with a very grim reality after police charged him with possession of oxycodone. Since this prescription drug offense includes the possibility of jail time in addition to the serious collateral consequences that usually accompany a drug-related conviction, the man needed to find a Virginia criminal defense attorney. One with considerable experience with similar prescription drug cases. This desire brought the man to Roanoke’s Copenhaver, Ellet & Derrico, who consulted with him to evaluate the situation and began crafting the strongest possible defense.
As a veteran criminal defense attorney, Michelle Derrico is fully aware of police procedures regarding the proper handling of evidence and used this wealth of knowledge to assist her client. While this matter was scheduled for a resolution with the court, the Commonwealth was ultimately unable to produce a critical drug certificate, showing that the substance found was properly analyzed. Because these results were not available, the prosecution could not definitively prove that her client was ever in possession of the illicit oxycodone as they claimed. Therefore, attorney Derrico arranged for the prosecution to completely dismiss the possession of oxycodone charge and her client was very relieved to be excused without seeing the negative aftermath of being labeled as a drug offender.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.