California Drug Crime Defense Lawyers
The Law Offices of Joseph Hawkins Low has successfully handled many cases defending clients charged with drug offenses in California. The firm is knowledgeable of the Controlled Substance Act (a consolidation of laws that regulate the possession, manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the illicit production of controlled substances or illegal drugs). If you have been charged with committing a drug related offense, contact one of our skilled California drug offense defense attorneys today!
The Controlled Substance Act classifies narcotics into 5 different categories or "schedules", the most serious being "Schedule 1" offenses that include narcotics such as heroine, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, LSD and PCP. A conviction of a schedule 1 drug crime can carry up to 20 years in prison plus fines. If this is your third conviction, however, there is the possibility of life in prison.
Marijuana laws are not as severe as the above offenses and depend on the volume of the substance apprehended. With a large amount of marijuana, the penalties could amount to those of drug offenses with cocaine or heroine.
For a concise list of controlled substances and related penalties, please refer to http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm.
A tough and successful South Bay drug offense defense attorney can help if you have been charged with an offense under the Controlled Substance Act. Your attorney can help you get the penalties reduced or even have the case dismissed by having the evidence against you thrown out in court. The right lawyer can tell you whether the search and seizure of evidence was lawful or not. If the method by which law enforcement personnel carried out the search of your property was illegal, that evidence cannot be used in court.
With a first offense without violence, you could be eligible for alternative sentencing such as a diversion program that dismisses your case if you plead guilty and test negative for narcotics in random drug testing over a specified period or time. Your California drug charge defense attorney may also be able to try your case in a special drib court where steps for rehabilitation are determined, and if you complete each of the phases successfully, your case will be dismissed.
In California, Proposition 36 offers an alternative to incarceration for non-violent first time drug offenders. Instead of prison time, you will be placed on probation and sentenced to a drug rehabilitation facility for a year and follow-up care for an additional period of 6 months.
Drug crimes are very serious offenses that carry harsh penalties. Protect yourself by hiring the right drug charge attorneys who will defend your rights.
For more information on California drug crime law, visit our California drug crime defense website.
