South Bay criminal defense attorney

Drug Crimes

The majority of drug crimes in California are felonies. If you are convicted of one of these crimes, it can have permanent devastating effects on your life. These crimes are often accompanied by state prison sentences of greater than one year; in fact, most of the crimes have potential sentences of three years or more. An aggressive defense is the key component in ensuring that you achieve the best outcome possible if you are facing drug charges.

 Even if you are facing a misdemeanor charge for something such as possession of marijuana for personal use or possession of paraphernalia, the effects can be severe. Misdemeanor drug charges can potentially cost you a professional license and get you fired from your job. If you are not a citizen, you could face deportation.

 In California, there are two categories of drug crimes: simple possession and aggravated possession. Simple possession often involves personal use. Aggravated possession on the other hand, involves things such as sales, distribution, re-sale, cultivation, transportation, and manufacturing.

 If you are charged with simple possession there are two methods by which you can avoid going to jail. The first method is to obtain a Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ). If you are a first-time offender, you will very often be able to obtain a DEJ. A DEJ may also be available to past offenders, depending on the situation. Obtaining a DEJ enables you to attend a drug education school in lieu of going to jail. You can also get the charge dismissed completely.

 The second way to avoid a simple possession jail sentence is to argue on behalf of Proposition 36. Proposition 36 was enacted by voters to ensure that even those drug offenders who cannot get a DEJ can still participate in treatment rather than go to jail. Even if you have prior felony convictions or other prior convictions involving drugs, Proposition 36 still applies. If the treatment proves to be a success, the case can get thrown out.

 Aggravated possession crimes are more serious than simple possession crimes. Many of the charges affiliated with aggravated possession have accompanying mandatory prison sentences. It is imperative that the attorney you hire to defend you on aggravated possession charges has a strong legal foundation in this area because the rules are so unique and specific. There is no simply no substitute for experience when it comes to handling cases like these.

 Many of these cases commence when police search and seize drugs from one's private property. It takes a trained expert who is up to date on search and seizure law to analyze the specifics of each case and determine when a search was illegal and a case can get thrown out.

 A criminal attorney with expertise in search and seizure can successfully file a Motion to Suppress. This would identify drugs seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which confines police to particular rules when they search property for drugs. All people are protected by the Fourth Amendment from illegal searches. It is a mistake to assume that just because police have a signed warrant that they are conducting a legal search. An experienced lawyer will be able to tell whether or not the search was legal and whether or not your Fourth Amendment rights were violated if you were arrested based on the results of the search.

 These drug cases have life-altering consequences for those who enter guilty pleas or are convicted. It is critical to hire an experienced lawyer who will fight aggressively to defend your legal rights.

Call us today at 310.316.6622 and talk with an experienced Carson criminal defense lawyer that will fight for you!

Serving South Bay Cities:

Carson Drug Crime Lawyer

El Porto Drug Crime Lawyer

El Segundo Drug Crime Lawyer

Gardena Drug Crime Lawyer

Hawthorne Drug Crime Lawyer

Hermosa Beach Drug Crime Lawyer

Inglewood Drug Crime Lawyer

Lawndale Drug Crime Lawyer

Lomita Drug Crime Lawyer

Manhattan Beach Drug Crime Lawyer

Palos Verdes Estates Drug Crime Lawyer

Rancho Palos Verdes Drug Crime Lawyer

Rolling Hills Drug Crime Lawyer

Torrance Drug Crime Lawyer

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Experienced criminal defense attorney in Carson
Call Mr. Newman directly at (310) 316-6622