If You’re Facing Drug Charges in California, get Drug Defense Attorney Alan Spears on your Side Immediately

No one would argue that California is progressive, yet California’s drug laws are anything but forward-thinking. While it’s true that the Golden State legalized the recreational use of marijuana, California still has many laws on the books related to drugs. The U.S. government has even more. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are aggressive in charging and trying cases involving drug crimes.

You may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. You may be struggling with substance abuse issues. You may not have known that there were drugs tucked away in the bag you were carrying. It doesn’t matter. If you’re accused of a drug crime in California, you can bet that the prosecutor is counting on a conviction. That’s why it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced Southern California drug lawyer. Your Southern California drug attorney understands state and federal law and has your best interests at heart.

The Southern California drug attorneys at Spears Law Group have the experience needed to navigate the criminal justice system on your behalf. They understand that every alleged drug crime exists in the context of the accused’s lived experience, the biases that exist in California and federal law, and the lifelong impact of a drug conviction. They know that your life can be derailed, your career destroyed, and your family threatened. The drug attorneys at Spears Law Group will be your fiercest advocates and do everything within their power to ensure that you retain your freedom.

If you’re facing drug charges in Southern California, let Spears Law Group help. Our attorneys will do their best to have the charges dropped or reduced so that you can move forward with your life. Call 951 355-2979 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Controlled Substances and the Law

Californians are subject to both state and federal drug laws. California law differentiates between possession of a controlled substance and other drug-related crimes. Virtually every type of drug is listed in the state’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act, which in turn is based on the U.S. Controlled Substance Schedules. The law ranks drugs according to five different levels, based on the government’s perception of the drug’s acceptable medicinal use and its potential for abuse. There are numerous drugs listed on each of the five schedule, including: 

Schedule I: Drugs that are deemed not to have a medical use, such as heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote. The federal schedule includes marijuana, while the California schedule does not.

Schedule II: Drugs that are considered to have a high potential for abuse or that are addictive, including hydrocodone, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl, Adderall, and Ritalin.

Schedule III: Drugs that are considered to have a moderate to low potential for abuse, including Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.

Schedule IV: Drugs that are considered to have a low risk of abuse and dependence, including Xanax, Darvocet, Ambien, Tramadol, Valium, and Ativan.

Schedule V: Drugs that are considered to have an every lower risk of abuse, such as Robitussin AC, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, and Parepectolin.

Drug Crimes in California

In California, drug crimes and punishments vary widely. On one end of the spectrum is possessing an illegal drug for personal use. Simple possession is typically charged as a misdemeanor, and a conviction can result in a sentence of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. 

If it is your first offense for simple possession, with the advocacy of an experienced Southern California drug attorney you may be allowed to complete a drug diversion program or participate in drug court instead of serving time in jail. Once you successfully complete that program, it’s possible to have the charges dismissed. In other words, possession won’t show up as a conviction on your criminal record.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are drug crimes that can lead to felony charges and harsher punishments. These include: 

Methamphetamines: If you’re accused of selling, giving away, or transporting methamphetamines or other stimulants, you’re facing felony charges that can result in prison time. Depending on the quantity of the drug, whether you crossed multiple county lines, and whether a minor was involved, you could face significant penalty enhancements.

Manufacturing: Manufacturing a controlled substance – whether methamphetamine, hash, or a narcotic precursor, is a felony in California. A conviction can result in a prison sentence of three, five, or seven years and a fine of up to $50,000. Depending upon the circumstances, you can also face sentencing enhancements.

Drug Trafficking: If you are accused of importing, exporting, transporting, distributing, or selling controlled substances, you can face California felony charges or federal felony charges. The sentence for a federal conviction depends upon the quantity of drugs, but range from less than five years to life in prison.

Marijuana: It’s legal to possess an ounce of marijuana for personal use in California. However, there are still a number of marijuana crimes on the books, including selling without a license, underage possession, cultivating more than six plants, selling to a minor, and driving under the influence.

Counterfeit Drugs: California law prohibits manufacturing, distributing, selling, or possessing for distribution counterfeit drugs. Some counterfeit drug crimes are misdemeanors, while others are “wobblers,” meaning that they can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies.

Prescription Drugs: While it is legal to possess prescription drugs, it’s against California law to transport or sell them. While it’s natural to believe that the state’s laws focus on illegal drugs like heroin, they also pertain to legal drugs.

Spears Law Group Group Will Help You

A drug conviction can destroy life as you know it and ruin your future. Even a misdemeanor drug conviction can prevent you from getting a job or promotion, from renting an apartment, or from gaining custody of your children. The drug attorneys at Spears Law Group have years of experience representing people just like you – people who have much at risk and little time to waste. Spears Law Group will be by your side every step of the way, and will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Call criminal defense attorney Alan Spears immediately at 951-400-4574 for a free consultation.