What are the case outcomes for Drug Possession in Suffolk?

Based on 208 cases in Suffolk (2025 public records), 82.6% are dismissed, 32.3% result in a guilty plea, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The median case takes 3.4 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

What is the dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Suffolk?

The dismissal rate is 82.6%, based on 208 cases from 2025 public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and nolle prosequi (cases dropped by the prosecutor).

How long does a Drug Possession case take in Suffolk?

The median case takes 3.4 months. The fastest 25% resolve in 2.2 months, while the slowest 25% take 5.2 months or longer. Duration depends on factors specific to each case.

What is the conviction rate for Drug Possession in Suffolk?

The conviction rate for Drug Possession in Suffolk is 33.4%, based on 208 cases from 2025 public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

What does the data show about charge reductions for Drug Possession in Suffolk?

0.5% of Drug Possession cases in Suffolk are amended to a lesser charge based on 2025 court records. The most common reduction is to Attempt-Paraphernalia: Type No Clear.

What's the difference between General District Court and Circuit Court for Drug Possession in Suffolk?

Most Drug Possession cases in Suffolk are heard in General District Court (126 cases in 2025), where 82.6% are dismissed and the median case takes 4.4 months. 82 cases were heard in Circuit Court — typically jury trials, felonies, or appeals from District Court — where 42.1% are dismissed.

How does Suffolk compare to other courts for Drug Possession?

Suffolk has a 82.6% dismissal rate for Drug Possession. Visit the Drug Possession overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all Virginia jurisdictions.

What does the sentencing data show for Drug Possession in Suffolk?

For those convicted of Drug Possession in Suffolk, the average sentence recorded is 1.5 years (including suspended time). Actual sentences depend on the specifics of each case. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your situation.

Drug Possession in Suffolk, VA

If you've been charged with drug possession in Suffolk — this page shows what typically happens. Most cases (126 of 208) were heard in General District Court, where 82.6% were dismissed or dropped and the median case took 4.4 months. 82 cases moved to Circuit Court — typically jury trials, felonies, or appeals from District Court.

82.6%

Dismissal Rate

▲ vs 54.1% statewide

33.4%

Conviction Rate

▼ vs 45.2% statewide

3.4 months

Median Duration

I Outcomes

Case Outcomes — General District Court

How 126 General District Court cases in Suffolk were resolved in 2025. This is where most Drug Possession cases start.

Exhibit · Case-outcome distribution

17.4%

65.2%

17.4%

Dismissed by judge 17.4% (n=4) Dropped by prosecutor (nolle prosequi) 65.2% (n=15) Guilty Plea 17.4% Found Guilty 0.0% Acquitted 0.0%

Largest outcomeDropped by prosecutor — 65.2% of 23 resolved cases.

Source: 126 General District Court records, Suffolk, 2025 — VirginiaCourtFile.com

Exhibit · How Suffolk compares

Dismissal rates for Drug Possession in this and peer jurisdictions, 2025. Peers are the highest-volume neighboring jurisdictions in the same region.

SuffolkThis page 82.6% 208 cases

Newport News 62.0% 1,006 cases Virginia Beach 72.2% 875 cases Chesapeake 89.1% 662 cases Hampton 29.6% 342 cases

Statewide average 54.1% all Virginia

Click any peer for its full record. Bar lengths are scaled to the highest rate shown.

Filed in Suffolk General District Court? See the full General District Court record — charge mix, judges, and officer activity.

If your case goes to Circuit Court · 82 Drug Possession cases in 2025

A small share of Drug Possession cases in Suffolk are heard in Circuit Court — typically jury trials, felonies, or appeals from General District Court. Outcomes look different at this level.

34.2%

55.3%

Dismissed 7.9% (n=3) Nolle prosequi 34.2% (n=13) Guilty Plea 55.3% Found Guilty 2.6% Acquitted 0.0%

Sentencing When Convicted

1.5 years

Avg Sentence

1.5 years

Median Sentence

$100

Avg Fine

Charge Reductions

When the original charge is amended to a lesser offense, usually through negotiation between the attorney and prosecutor.

Exhibit · Charge-reduction patterns

0.5% of Drug Possession cases
in Suffolk are reduced

1 cases had their charge amended to a lesser offense.

Most common reductions

Drug Possession Attempt-Paraphernalia: Type No Clear

1 cases · 100.0% of reductions

Case Duration

Time from filing to final disposition — half of cases resolve faster than the median.

Exhibit · Case duration

Fastest 25% 2.2 months

Median 3.4 months

Slowest 25% 5.2 months

Defense Attorneys with Drug Possession Cases in Suffolk

Attorneys whose primary jurisdiction is Suffolk and who appeared as defense counsel of record on Drug Possession cases in 2025. Listed by case count.

Warren Kozak 20 of 296 total James L Grandfield 9 of 167 total Alexander Bell 8 of 103 total Kevin Frank 6 of 157 total Lucille Wall 6 of 156 total Holly Kozak 6 of 153 total Tamikia Vasquez 6 of 84 total James Grandfield 5 of 214 total William Johnson 5 of 99 total Mark Andrews 5 of 62 total

Counts are each attorney's full 2025 caseload statewide. Click any name for their jurisdiction + outcome breakdown.

All Virginia defense attorneys

Commonwealth's Attorney Office — Suffolk

3,643 circuit court filings prosecuted by the Suffolk Commonwealth's Attorney in 2025. Office-level data — direct-indictment rate, disposition mix, trial activity. View office records →

III Background

Arresting Officers — Dismissal Rates

Officers whose Drug Possession arrests in Suffolk are dismissed most frequently. Minimum 10 cases.

M Grice 100.0% 17 cases S Jacobs 100.0% 20 cases

Ranking shows officers in this jurisdiction with the highest Drug Possession dismissal rates (minimum 10 cases). Click any name for their full record.

All arresting officers in Suffolk

Common Questions

Statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Past outcomes do not predict future results. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your case.

What's the difference between General District Court and Circuit Court?

In Virginia, most Drug Possession cases start in General District Court — that's where the 126 cases shown above were heard. Cases can move to Circuit Court for jury trials, felony indictments, or appeals from District Court. 82 Drug Possession cases were heard in Suffolk Circuit Court in 2025, where 42.1% were dismissed and 57.9% resulted in conviction.

Can a Drug Possession charge be reduced to something lesser?

0.5% of Drug Possession cases in Suffolk were amended to a lesser charge in 2025. The most common reduction was to Attempt-Paraphernalia: Type No Clear (1 cases). Whether a reduction is available depends on the specifics of the case and is typically negotiated between the defense attorney and the prosecutor.

How does Suffolk compare to other Virginia courts?

Suffolk has a 82.6% dismissal rate for Drug Possession cases. Outcomes vary significantly across Virginia courts. View the Drug Possession overview to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across every jurisdiction.

Where does this data come from and how often is it updated?

All figures on this page come from Virginia's public Case Information System (CIS) and District Court system, calendar year 2025 onward. The dataset is refreshed quarterly. See methodology for definitions, denominators, and known coverage gaps.

Cite this page

VirginiaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession Outcomes — Suffolk, Virginia. Based on 208 public court records, 2025; last updated May 2, 2026. https://www.virginiacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/suffolk

Other Charges in Suffolk

Weapons Offense

659 cases · 64.9% dismissed

Reckless Driving

582 cases · 40.0% dismissed

Larceny / Theft

570 cases · 63.9% dismissed

Failure to Appear

485 cases · 56.8% dismissed