California, particularly Southern California, is widely known for drug trafficking and drug importation. Because drug crimes lead to an increase in drug crimes altogether, both State and Federal law enforcement agencies hand down severe punishments to anyone suspected of drug offenses. An important factor in determining the severity of the charge is the type and quantity of the illegal drugs involved and whether they were for personal use or for sale.

At The Chahine Law Firm, our criminal defense team handles all types of State and Federal drug crime cases throughout Los Angeles County and the State of California. Some of the cases we can handle include:

• Drug Possession
• Drug Possession for Sale
• Trafficking
• Transportation
• Distribution
• Importation
• Manufacturing
• Cultivation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Prescription Fraud
• Federal Drug Crimes
• Drug Crimes Legal Penalties

A drug offense may be a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the quantity and type of drug found by law enforcement. The more of a substance you have, the more serious the charges and the legal punishment associated with the offense. A prior criminal record could result in a more severe punishment than if the defendant had a clean or relatively minor record consisting of misdemeanors.

Maximum penalties are often sought by the prosecuting attorney, and thus it is all the more important that your defense lawyer be skilled, experienced and aggressive in defending your case. Penalties for any drug crime will vary depending upon the following factors:

• The type of drug involved
• The amount/weight of drug or drugs
• Any prior convictions, particularly for drug-related offenses
• Whether any minors were involved
• Whether weapons were involved
• If any other crimes were committed in addition to the drug crime

Some of the penalties an individual convicted of a drug crime may face include:

• County Jail Sentence
• State Prison Sentence
• Seizure and Forfeiture of Assets
• Heavy Fines
• Probation
• Loss of Driver’s License
• Drug counseling
• Drug Treatment
• Community Service
• Register as Narcotics Offender

Drug Crimes Alternative Sentencing

Some defendants in drug related cases may be able to avoid jail entirely and complete a drug diversion course or drug rehab program. In many cases, drug treatment is considered more appropriate than jail time, especially for non-violent individuals with drug abuse problems. You may be eligible for one of three alternatives:

• Deferred Entry of Judgment – In this form of alternative sentencing (also known as “DEJ” or “Diversion”), the defendant will plead guilty, but is not convicted. The case is put on hold for 18 months while the defendant must take a 6-month drug education class and avoid an arrest or conviction of another crime. The case is dismissed after 18 months and the felony charge is removed from their record.
• Proposition 36 – This program is available for first and second time non-violent “simple drug possession” offenders. If the offender qualifies, he or she will receive substance abuse treatment instead of jail time. It includes one year of outpatient, halfway house, narcotic replacement therapy, education classes and limited inpatient treatment, plus six months of aftercare treatment. Proposition 36 was created to give first time, non-violent, drug offenders an alternative to jail by allowing them to undergo probation and a drug rehab program.
• Drug Court – Drug Court is a “supervision-and-treatment” program which is usually separated into phases that offer the client more freedoms as they complete each phase. In some cases, jail time may be required. Once the client has completed the program, the case is dismissed.

Los Angeles Drug Crimes Attorneys

If you have been charged with misdemeanor or felony drug charges, it is very important that you hire legal representation that you trust. The Los Angeles drug crimes defense attorneys at The Chahine Law Firm will use our extensive knowledge in the areas of criminal defense and State and Federal drug laws to create a defense for your particular situation. With our skill and experience, we may be able to have your charges dropped, or have your sentence reduced or altered.

If you are charged with a State or Federal drug crime, contact our office today for a free consultation on how to prepare a successful defense.