§ 18.2-250 — Drug Possession
Court outcome data from 24,618 cases across 123 jurisdictions · 2025
According to VirginiaCourtFile's analysis, of 24,618 cases filed in 2025 under § 18.2-250, 12,457 reached an outcome — 37.0% were dismissed or dropped and 62.6% resulted in conviction, across 123 Virginia jurisdictions.
This page provides statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
Penalties Under § 18.2-250
Section 18.2-250 addresses unauthorized possession of controlled substances in Virginia. Simple possession of a Schedule I or II substance is a Class 5 felony, while Schedule III-VI possession is a misdemeanor. Virginia legalized simple possession of up to one ounce of marijuana in 2021.
According to VirginiaCourtFile's analysis, of 24,618 § 18.2-250 cases filed in 2025 across 123 Virginia jurisdictions, 12,457 reached an outcome — an average dismissal rate of 37.0% and an average conviction rate of 62.6%.
Court Outcomes Across Virginia
Across 123 Virginia jurisdictions (2025):
Top Jurisdictions
Courts with the most cases related to this statute.
| Jurisdiction | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate | Median Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henrico County | 1,421 | 34.2% | 65.8% | 3.2 months |
| Virginia Beach | 1,417 | 26.1% | 73.9% | 3.6 months |
| Prince William County | 1,219 | 42.2% | 57.8% | 5.3 months |
| Fairfax County | 1,149 | 69.9% | 30.1% | 6.3 months |
| Chesterfield County | 1,099 | 37.6% | 62.4% | 4.9 months |
| Chesapeake | 911 | 48.3% | 51.7% | 3.7 months |
| Montgomery County | 767 | 25.5% | 74.5% | 4.1 months |
| Newport News | 751 | 57.0% | 43.0% | 4.9 months |
| Bristol | 588 | 14.8% | 85.2% | 3.0 months |
| Tazewell County | 568 | 50.6% | 49.4% | 6.2 months |
| Stafford County | 483 | 36.2% | 63.7% | 3.8 months |
| Roanoke City | 477 | 31.8% | 68.2% | 1.2 months |
| Franklin County | 458 | 36.0% | 64.0% | 3.2 months |
| Lynchburg | 408 | 28.8% | 71.2% | 4.5 months |
| Hampton | 395 | 30.7% | 69.3% | 4.1 months |
Source: Virginia public court records, 2025 — VirginiaCourtFile.com
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