Home – Practice Areas – Q and A - Criminal Law - Felony Possession
Why is there not a degree associated with a possession charge?
Why would “VOCSL Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance” not have a degree associated with the charge? My friend was arrested in Ramsey County and the VOCSL language shows on-line, but without a degree.
Criminal Defense Answer
I am guessing that your friend is not actually charged with a crime yet, but has been arrested on a “PC Hold”. A PC Hold means that a person has been arrested for Probable Cause (PC) and they are being held awaiting charges. In a Felony case, charges are issued by a complaint (formal charging document) which must be signed by law enforcement, a prosecutor and a Judge. Before that complaint has been signed and filed, the person is awaiting charges and is on a PC Hold. VOCSL (Violation Of the Controlled Substance Law) has a degree associated with it once it is charged by complaint, but not typically during the PC arrest stage. If your friend is charged already, the complaint will have a degree associated with the charge.
