La Mirada Drug Crimes Attorney
It can be terrifying and overwhelming to face a drug charge. You’re likely wondering how these charges may impact your personal life, job, and even your future and freedom. Whether you were arrested with a small amount of drugs on you or have been charged with a more severe drug offense, you need a La Mirada drug crimes lawyer who will fight for you. Together, we can challenge the evidence against you and provide a strong defense.
At Shield Law, APC, our dedicated legal team understands that not everyone who has been accused of a drug crime is a criminal. You could have been in the wrong place at the wrong time or been unfairly accused. As law enforcement frequently gets it wrong and California drug laws are complicated, it’s crucial to have aggressive legal representation who can help you defend your rights and interests.
Understanding Common Drug Charges in California
California has stringent tough-on-crime drug charges, with crimes related to controlled substances ranging from misdemeanors to severe felonies. The experienced legal team at Shield Law, APC, has decades of combined experience successfully defending clients against the following common drug crimes in California:
- Possession of a controlled substance. These offenses involve being caught with a smaller amount of a controlled substance like heroin or cocaine, as well as certain types of prescription medications that the user was not authorized to have.
- Possession with intent to sell. For greater quantities of controlled substances or specific paraphernalia that suggests an intent to sell, defendants could be facing felony charges.
- Drug trafficking. Drug trafficking charges involve the selling or transporting of illegal substances and can lead to severe prison sentences.
- Marijuana offenses. Despite being legalized, individuals still continue to be charged with marijuana-related crimes, such as large-scale cultivation or unauthorized sales.
- Drug paraphernalia. Controlled substances do not have to be involved for drug crime to be charged. For example, the possession of any items linked to drug use, such as syringes or pipes, can result in criminal charges.
- Prescription drug crimes. It is an illegal offense to possess or distribute prescription medications, such as Vicodin, Xanax, or oxycodone. These types of crimes can lead to serious legal consequences.
The penalties an individual may face for a drug crime depend on various factors, including their criminal history, the amount and type of drugs involved, and the specific details associated with their case.
Misdemeanor drug charges can come with jail time, fines, and mandatory probation. More serious felony drug charges can come with years in state prison, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record.
First-time offenders may have the option of completing drug diversion programs instead of serving time. A La Mirada drug crimes lawyer can help you understand the potential penalties you may be facing and work to get them minimized.
How a La Mirada Drug Crimes Lawyer Can Help
An empathetic drug crime attorney from La Mirada can help ensure your drug charges don’t destroy your future. We can scrutinize the details of your arrest and seizure of evidence to uncover any rights violations or mistakes, as well as challenge any evidence collected or invalid police procedures. From negotiating fiercely on your behalf to defending your case in court, we are ready to push for an optimal case outcome.
FAQs
Common drug crimes in California include possession with intent to steal, possession of a controlled substance, drug trafficking, marijuana crimes, and prescription fraud. These different charges may be classified as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the crime and the circumstances of the case. A dedicated La Mirada drug crimes lawyer can help you understand the charges you’re facing and your options for a legal defense.
Penalties for drug crimes in California are dependent on various factors, including the amount of drug present, the type of drug, and the intentions involving the controlled substance. Misdemeanor drug crimes could involve required community service, probation, fines, and even jail time. Felony offenses come with more serious penalties, including hefty fines, time in prison, and a permanent criminal record.
If the charges are brought on the federal level, this could lead to even stricter penalties.
Yes, drug charges can be reduced or dismissed with the assistance of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. A lawyer can assist you with calling into question any search and seizure processes of an illegal nature, arguing your lack of intent to sell, arguing your lack of knowledge of possession, and working to get alternative sentencing measures, such as drug diversion programs instead of jail time.
Defense strategies are highly specific to each case and the nature of the charges.
California’s drug diversion programs include programs like Proposition 36 and PC 1000, which give nonviolent, first-time offenders the opportunity to complete drug treatment programs instead of going to jail. If the offender successfully completes the program, they can get their charges dismissed. A dedicated attorney can help you understand how California’s drug diversion programs could benefit your case and criminal history.
A lawyer can provide you with crucial support for your drug crime charges in La Mirada by launching an investigation into your case, challenging the circumstances of your arrest or the seizure of the controlled substances in question, negotiating fiercely on your behalf to get an optimal plea deal, and fiercely defending against any unfounded accusations. They can also help you work to get alternative sentencing measures in lieu of jail time.
Successfully Defend Against Your Drug Charges With an Experienced La Mirada Attorney
Whether you are facing minor possession charges or are being charged with a serious penalty, such as drug trafficking, it’s crucial to work with a knowledgeable legal representative who can provide tailored strategies that reflect the uniqueness of your case.
A La Mirada drug crimes lawyer from Shield Law, APC, is ready to help you fight back against your charges, defending your rights and interests. Reach out to an attorney from our firm to schedule a consultation today.