Drug Charges Lawyer in Bellflower, CA. There are a wide variety of drug laws you can be charged with breaking in Bellflower, CA. Everything from manufacturing to simple possession can send you to jail. These statutes regulate substances from methamphetamine to fentanyl. But they all share one thing in common: Major legal consequences.
Get help before it's too late. You need Bellflower, CA's premier criminal defense lawyer on your case. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Bellflower drug charges lawyers are avaialble 24/7 to help you. We will explore possible defenses, discuss defense tactics, and represent you all the way through trial. To start fighting the charges, contact our law offices at (800) 755-5174 or set up a free, confidential consultation now.
Bellflower, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, you can learn about the importance of having a drug defense lawyer in Bellflower, CA, categories of drug crime allegations in Bellflower, the qualities your attorney should have, strategies we may use in your case, and more.
To learn about a particular topic, you can use the links below to skip ahead and learn more:
- What Your Bellflower, CA, Drug Crimes Lawyer Will Do For You
- Bellflower, CA, Drug Types and Potential Penalties
- Different Types of Drug Charges in Bellflower, CA
- Intersections Between Drugs and DUIs in Bellflower
- Top Drug Defense Attorney Qualities
- Types of Defenses We Build Against Drug Allegations
- Bellflower, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options
- How a Drug Conviction Can Impact Immigration Status
- Drug Crime FAQs
- Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Bellflower, CA? Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Today
- All Drug Crime Allegations Our Attorneys Fight Against
Don't Waste Time: Contact a Bellflower, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Drug charges in Bellflower, CA, always need to be taken seriously. The same action can be interpreted by the state in multiple ways, meaning you're risking years in prison.
The first reason you should work with a drug charges lawyer right away is to help you interpret the law. A simple possession case takes a different set of skills than a drug trafficking case, and your drug defense attorney needs to know how to fight your particular charges.
The second reason to contact a local Bellflower, CA, drug charges lawyer first thing in your case is to protect yourself from mistakes. If you say something incorrect in an interrogation, the charges could be elevated and the state's case strengthened. A drug charges defense attorney can stop you from experiencing self-incrimination.
Finally, your drug charges lawyer will open doors for new strategies through plea negotiations. Early intervention prevents the state from getting a lead on you, and we can even move to dismiss charges if we can act before the state builds a compelling case.
Drug Types and Legal Context in Bellflower, CA:
When deciding on a Bellflower, CA, drug charges lawyer, you want someone who has experience with the type of drug you're facing allegation for. In the following section, we've outlined some of the substances against which we have practice defending related charges.
| Drug Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | Charges often revolve around having a technically legal drug without permission, or selling it to someone you aren't supposed to. |
| Ecstacy | A man-made psychoactive drug. A stimulant often used at parties. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive stimulant derived from a South American plant It is taken in a variety of ways. |
| Methamphetamine | Synthetic stimulant originally used to improve focus, but with serious side effects. |
| Opioids | A category of addictive painkillers. These include morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. |
| Heroin | An extremely dangerous drug made by processing morphine. The state tends to impose harsh penalties in heroin cases. |
| Fentanyl | One of the most dangerous forms of opioids — roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the DEA. |
Potential legal consequences vary significantly by the type of drug, how much there was, any prior convictions, and the type of charge. For some typical accusations:
- Most of the time, if you're only accused of possession and not distributing a drug, the charge will only be a misdemeanor, with a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Different prosecutors may treat some substances in a harsher manner, though.
- Possession for sale, sale, transport, or manufacturing are are more serious charges. Most accusations are felonies, and the sentence can change based on the specific drug and amount involved.
- Fentanyl carries additional exposure: Proposition 36 (2024) created a list of drugs, including fentanyl, which can trigger felony enhancement if possessed along with a loaded firearm.
- Most of the time, federal drug charges result in harsher, longer sentences.
There's no simple method to tell what kind of sentence you're facing based on your charges. Our drug defense attorneys can help — call us for a free case review and we'll walk you through what you're actually facing.
Marijuana in Bellflower, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a mind-altering substance derived from a plant leaf. Smoking marijuana used to be illegal in California, but in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, letting people use it recreationally.
Because local laws allow for limited use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) charges in Bellflower, CA, frequently often revolve around who was using it and whether that person was exceeding legal limits. As an example, it's legal to grow up to six marijuana plants for recreational use, but growing a seventh is a crime.
Marijuana Legal Overview:
- Legal in limited quantities for adults 21 and older
- Generally, it is legal to grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use
- Federal law still makes marijuana usage illegal.
How Your Bellflower, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you're facing marijuana-related charges, our attorneys can help. For example, we can argue that you were permitted to have cannabis, demonstrate that you did not exceed state limits, and/or show off the proper regulatory procedures which you adhered to.
Different Types of Drug Charges in Bellflower, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are an experienced group of drug defense lawyers serving the Bellflower, CA, area. Whatever charges you are facing, we're ready to defend your innocence. In the below sections, you can learn about categories of drug crimes and some of the relevant statutes.
Drug Possession/Use Charges
Drug possession charges are some of the most basic in Bellflower, CA. These can be charged for any illegal substance and these charges can apply in any circumstance where you allegedly owned the illegal drugs, even if you didn't have them physically with you at the time.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
- Hard Drug Possession
Your Bellflower, CA, drug charges lawyer fight for illegally obtained evidence to be thrown out, and can be by your side every step of the way.
Relevant statutes: Simple possession of most hard drugs falls under Health and Safety Code 11350, while possession of methamphetamine is instead covered by HS 11377. Generally, these possession charges are handled as misdemeanors.
Drug Production/Transport/Distribution Charges
While drug possession and use charges target the buyer, drug production, transportation, and distribution charges target the seller.
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Cultivation of Marijuana
- Maintaining a Place for Drug Sales/Use
- Drug Trafficking
- Transportation of a Controlled Substance
- Sale of Controlled Substance
- Drug Possession for Sale
These allegations are almost always considered more serious than possession. A drug crimes defense lawyer can help you negotiate a plea to a less serious offense.
Relevant statutes: HS 11351 covers standard drug dealing charges, formally known as "possession for sale." The exception is methamphetamine, which is covered by HS 11378. As a straight felony, each is punishable by two, three, or four years in state prison and fines up to $20,000. Sale and transportation for sale charges are divided in a similar way: HS 11352 (most substances) vs. HS 11379 (methamphetamine). If convicted, you are looking at an even harsher sentence — up to nine years if the transportation crosses non-contiguous counties. Unlike simple possession, these charges are generally not eligible for PC 1000 or Prop 36 treatment diversion unless your attorney can negotiate the charge down to simple possession.
Drug Charge Enhancements
California's drug charge enhancement laws can be very different from each other, but one thing connects them together: They don't stand on their own. Before you can be charged with an enhancement, there has to be another criminal accusation.
It's even more important to hire an experienced Bellflower, CA, drug crimes lawyer to defend you in these cases, so that they can fight both the base charge and the enhancement.
Federal Drug Charges
A federal drug charge isn't a 'category' in the same way that the above types of charges are. What sets these apart is that you're fighting against the federal government instead of the local Bellflower prosecutor.
These can include anything from production to transportation to taking part in a drug conspiracy, but to get the attention of the federal government, it typically will involve large quantities and/or crossing state lines. The penalties are often much harsher, such as a life sentence and substantial fines.
If you're accused of a drug crime in federal court, you're up against a lot. And you need a an experienced criminal defense lawyer with the resources to match the United States government. Our office will conduct investigations, develop a strong defense strategy, challenge evidence, and make every effort to secure a positive result for you.
The Intersection Between Drug Charges and DUIs in Bellflower, CA
Drug cases often intersect with another type of case in Bellflower, CA: DUIs. Drug DUI defense cases cover a many different situations, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by prescribed medication. What's worse, you can be arrested if there is any amount of THC in your system while driving (as opposed to alcohol).
When facing drug DUI charges, you don't just need a drug charges lawyer. You also need a leading Bellflower, CA, DUI defense lawyer who fight on your behalf both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. But you need to act fast — for most DUI accusations, if you wait longer than ten days to request a hearing, you lose your chance.
Top Bellflower, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Qualitites
When picking a drug charges lawyer in Bellflower, CA, to take your case, it can be a challenge trying to decide who will best represent you. Your life may depend on it, after all.
Here are the top factors you want to see in your drug allegations defense attorney:
- Vast Experience defending clients in your situation
- Personal Experience as a prosecutor
- Existing Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your jurisdiction
- A Track Record of Positive Outcomes against the state for these charges
- Availability Anytime because emergencies don't always happen in business hours
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our firm fulfills all of these requirements. We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including working for the district attorney's office. We offer legal services throughout California. And we have delivered many victories for our clients.
We will always be honest with you about the state of your case, and you can talk to us 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.
Strong Defense Strategies Our Attorneys Use in Drug Cases
Your charges might be the same as someone else's, but your case is unique. No two cases in Bellflower, CA, are identical, and you should have a unique defense strategy to protect you.
While we use some common base strategies, we'll build your defense out to fit your unique circumstances. Here are some strong strategies your drug charges lawyer will consider:
- Illegal Search and Seizure: If the police searched you, your vehicle, or your dwelling without either probable cause or a warrant, that evidence can be thrown out.
- Lack of Intent: In some cases, you can't be convicted if you broke the law on accident. For example, if police found illegal drugs in your car, but they weren't yours, and you weren't aware of them, you didn't transport them, legally speaking.
- Not Your Drugs: You can argue this if you were present in an area while drugs were there, but they were not yours and you weren't using them.
- Entrapment: In some cases, if an undercover police officer coerced you into breaking a drug law, you cannot be held liable for doing so.
- Prescription: Some substances are illegal to possess without a valid prescription, but if you have one, that can excuse you from these charges.
- Plea Negotiations: Not every case can result in a "not guilty" verdict, but there are occasions where a plea deal can lessen the impact of a conviction.
If someone's accused you of a drug crime in Bellflower, CA, contact one of our lawyers for immediate help.
Bellflower, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Bellflower has diversion and treatment options available, which can be an excellent option if you are eligible. Ask your Bellflower, CA, drug charges lawyer what you can do to increase your chances of entering one of these programs.
To qualify, defendants must fit certain criteria. Here are a couple of programs that might apply in your case:
PC 1000 Drug Diversion
California PC 1000 Deferred Entry of Judgment is is an option that can give you a way to stay out of prison without going through a trial. The program typically includes drug education classes, sobriety requirements, and regular drug testing. The main reason people like to take advantage of PC 1000 is it prevents a conviction from going on your record. This protects you from many of a conviction's collateral consequences.
Proposition 36 (2024)
Proposition 36 is another diversion program, designed to help people accused of repeat drug offenses. It was passed in 2024, and is distinct from a previous version of Proposition 36 passed in 2000. It approach drug offense diversion from a unique angle.
Under the current law, what was originally a misdemeanor charge can be instead charged as a "treatment-mandated felony." This is only an option if the accused person has two or more previous drug-related convictions on their record.
If you're facing this charge, you have a choice: complete court-mandated treatment, and the underlying drug charge case is dropped (the arrest record will remain, but is sealed); if you don't take this option, you'll have to fight the felony charge, including up to three years in custody. The law also heightened potential drug crime sentences, depending on the quantity and type of substance, and updated the list of drugs that trigger firearm-related enhancements to include fentanyl.
Your Bellflower, CA, drug charges lawyer is here to help you understand the charges, help you decide what route to take, and fight to keep a conviction off your record.
Immigration Consequences of a Drug Conviction
For immigrants in Bellflower, CA, you might have to defend yourself against removal as well as criminal charges — and this is an area where our firm's dual criminal defense and immigration practice gives clients a real advantage.
Most drug charge convictions are grounds for deportation, but there is one specific exception: marijuana charges for no more than 30 grams of the substance, and only intended it for person use, not sale. This can affect lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) as well as visa holders, and it can be a factor independent of whether or not the conviction includes a jail sentence.
A few key distinctions matter a great deal:
- Simple possession for personal use (for most substances) is ordinarilly a deportable offense, but is not automatically classified as an "aggravated felony" — meaning that you likely won't lose access to certain modes of immigration relief.
- Possession for sale, sale, or trafficking convictions are significantly more serious. They are often considered aggravated felonies, which can trigger mandatory deportation and become a long-lasting problem if you apply to enter the United States again.
- How a charge is pleaded matters enormously. Under Padilla v. Kentucky, defense counsel is supposed to inform you about these immigration implications prior to entering your plea. We will fight for an outcome — such as a plea to a non-drug offense, or a disposition that avoids specific "aggravated felony" language — that defends your legal status in the country, as well as your criminal record.
Because immigration consequences are triggered by conviction, not just sentence, you need to get expert help as soon as you're aware of an investigation. If you are a non-citizen up against a drug case, tell your attorney immediately — they should take immigration factors into account when working on your case.
Drug Charge Frequently Asked Questions
If my drug charges are dismissed, can anyone still see them?
An arrest can appear on some background checks even without a conviction. If you were able to take advantage of a diversion program like PC 1000 or Proposition 36, you may be able to have the arrest sealed or the record cleared — your drug charges defense lawyer can help you navigate these options.
Do I need to answer police questions if I have illegal drugs on me?
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Be respectful to the police, but do not provide any information besides your identity, and ask for a lawyer right away — if you say the wrong thing, you could end up facing harsher charges.
Can a drug conviction be expunged in Bellflower, CA?
The answer depends on the specific charge and your sentence. Penal Code 1203.4 allows for expungement in many cases after completing probation, though this can be affected based on the charge you were convicted of, and any previous convictions. This isn't as definitive of an answer in regards to immigration, though: The federal government will still be able to see the conviction, which is why green card and visa holders need to work with an experienced drug crimes attorney who also practices immigration law.
What's the difference between PC 1000 and Proposition 36 diversion?
The main difference is in who can apply to each program: For PC 1000, first-time, low-level possession alleged offenders can get the charges dropped through a treatment and drug testing program. The 2024 version of Proposition 36 applies to repeat offenders facing a treatment-mandated felony and requires completing a court-supervised treatment program to avoid the felony consequences. Which one applies depends on your charge and criminal history.
If I don't have a record, will my drug possession charge be a felony in Bellflower, CA?
It's rare for first-time possession cases to be charged as a felony in Bellflower, CA — they're typically treated as misdemeanors. Possession with intent to sell, manufacturing, or trafficking charges are generally felonies regardless of prior record.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Be Your Bellflower, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer
You need help from experts in defending against drug charges It's important to fight for a positive outcome, and it depends on working with the right defense attorney. Fortunately, we're here to help.
The Bellflower, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley have experience defending against countless drug crime accusations. We have relationships in courts across California. We explore every avenue to find the right path forward for our clients.
We also aid with the following legal services in Bellflower, CA:
- Domestic Violence Lawyer
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak to your Bellflower drug charges defense lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to schedule a free, confidential review of your case.
Every Drug Charge Our Lawyers Defend Against:
- Bringing Drugs into a Jail or Prison
- Cocaine
- Cultivation of Marijuana
- Drug Crimes with Firearm Enhancements
- Drug Diversion Programs
- Drug-Free School Zone Violations
- Drug Possession for Sale
- Drug Trafficking
- Ecstasy
- Federal Drug Charges
- Fentanyl
- Fentanyl-Specific Enhancements
- Hard Drug Possession
- Heroin
- Illegal Search and Seizure Defense in Drug Cases
- Maintaining a Place for Drug Sales/Use (HS 11366)
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Marijuana
- Marijuana Charges
- Methamphetamine
- Opioids
- PC 1000 Drug Diversion
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Prescription Drugs
- Proposition 36
- Sale of Controlled Substance
- Transportation of a Controlled Substance
- Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance (HS 11350)
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