California Drug Crimes Attorney

California leads the country in the number of drug crimes prosecuted, and penalties for those convicted vary greatly depending on the crime, the individual's criminal history, type and amount of drug involved, and other factors. As in most other states, California drug crimes generally involve the possession, manufacturing, sale, transportation, or distribution and trafficking of unlawful drugs and narcotics. Some of these include marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, heroin, and LSD. In addition, a person may face criminal charges in relation to the possession, unauthorized use, or sale of prescription drugs including Oxycontin and Vicodin. Anyone who is charged with or under investigation for a drug crime in Southern California should consult with a capable criminal defense attorney immediately. The Justice Firm provides clients with effective, aggressive defense and legal guidance throughout every step of the process.

Drug crimes common in Los Angeles and Southern California include, but are not limited to:

• Health and Safety Code Section 11350(a) - Possession of a narcotic
• Health and Safety Code Section 11352(a) - Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance
• Health and Safety Code Section 11352(b) - Transportation of a Controlled Substance/Transportation for Sale of a Controlled Substance
• Health and Safety Code Section 11353 - Sale or Furnish a Controlled Substance to a Minor
• Health and Safety Code Section 11357(a) - Selling a Substance in Lieu of a Controlled Substance
• Health and Safety Code Section 11364 - Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Health and Safety Code 11377 - Possession of Methamphetamine

If found guilty of a drug offense, some of the penalties may include jail or prison time, probation/parole, substantial legal fines, mandatory drug counseling, driver's license revocation, registration as a drug offender, and restitution for the costs of investigation for law enforcement.

It is also important to note that a drug conviction may be used in the future when an individual is convicted of another crime to enhance sentencing for that crime.

It is vital to have a Southern California drug crimes lawyer on your side regardless of how minor or serious you believe your situation may be. Police and prosecutors often work in conjunction to "throw the book" at drug offenders. For instance, a simple possession charge may be trumped up to a possession for sale charge, which results in harsher penalties. Police often violate an offender's legal rights, although the individual may not be aware of it. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case in an effort to determine if law enforcement personnel may have violated your rights. In some cases this can result in dismissal of the charges. In more serious cases it is often beneficial for the defendant to plead to a lesser charge, as this may result in punishment that is less harsh. As an example, someone potentially facing prison time may be eligible for a drug diversion program by pleading down to lesser charges, such as simple possession.

Regardless of whether you are facing simple possession charges or have been accused of large-scale drug trafficking, it is important to choose a defense attorney with the experience, skill, and committed approach essential to obtaining good results. At The Justice Firm, we do not simply walk clients through a plea agreement as so many criminal defense firms do - we help you fight the charges while working to prevent the serious negative impact to your life. Contact us today at 310-914-2444.