Drug crimes in California may be charged as an infraction, misdemeanor or felony. The federal government’s “war on drugs” has led to drug crimes carrying some of the harshest penalties an individual can face. Penalties for drug crimes are dependent on the type of drug, the amount of drugs, and prior convictions. If law enforcement suspects that you committed any other crime, such as a firearms violation, in addition to an alleged drug crime, the penalties against you may increase.
In addition to the criminal sanctions, many drug crimes also carry non-criminal penalties including ineligibility for student loans or federal assistance programs, adverse consequences in immigration court and trouble with professional licensing or military service. And of course, a narcotics charge can hurt you at work and in any family-law proceeding.
Drug possession is one of the most common drug crimes. An individual may be arrested for possession of an illegal substance, prescription medication or drug paraphernalia. Often times the critical issue in these cases is who had “control” and “ownership” of the drugs. The prosecution must prove that you had “dominion and control” over the drugs and knew the “nature of the substance” was illegal. Possession of a drug (or drug paraphernalia) can be a felony, misdemeanor or infraction. An individual can be charged with a serious drug crime for possession of many different types of drugs, including, but not limited to:
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Cocaine
- LSD
- Heroin
- PCP
- Prescription medications
In California, non-violent drug offenders may have alternatives to a jail sentence. When you hire an experienced Orange County criminal attorney, they can inform you whether your case qualifies for a drug diversion program or drug court. As a former drug court public defender, Maltaise Cini played an important role in ensuring public safety, supporting an individual’s recovery, and protecting participants’ due process rights. Ms. Cini is highly familiar with the ins and outs of drug court and how comprehensive treatment can help a person overcome their addiction and become a productive member of society.
Individuals accused of possession for sales, drug sales, transportation, drug cultivation and manufacturing are generally not eligible for drug diversion or drug court. These crimes often times carry a state prison sentence. All too often, the arresting officer is quick to decide that a person is involved in drug sales when they are an addict that needs treatment.
Just because you or someone you care about has been charged with a drug crime does not mean that a strong defense should go unsought. With the right Newport Beach criminal attorney on your side, an effective case can be build on your behalf seeking alternative sentencing, a reduction in charges, or a dismissal of charges altogether. Maltaise Cini continues to obtain successful case results for individuals charged with various drug crimes. In her many years of experience as an Orange County drug crime defense lawyer, Ms. Cini knows what it takes to obtain a not guilty verdict for her clients or get charges dismissed. To learn more about how the Law Offices of Maltaise Cini can help you during this challenging time, call (949) 660-1389 today for a free consultation.