Drug Charges Lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA. There are a wide variety of drug laws you can be charged with breaking in Beverly Hills, CA. Possession of a controlled substance is bad enough, but it's even worse if you're charged with dealing or distributing drugs. These laws regulate substances from prescription medications to opioids. If found guilty, you can face life-altering consequences.
You need representation that will fight for your freedom. You need Beverly Hills, CA's leading criminal defense attorney on your side. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Beverly Hills drug charges lawyers know the ins and outs of California drug laws. We will give you honest advice, discuss defense tactics, and fight for the best deal or other outcome in your case. To start building your defense, contact our attorneys at (800) 755-5174 or ask about a free case review online now.
Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
On this page, you can learn about how a Beverly Hills, CA, drug defense attorney will protect your rights, categories of drug crime allegations in Beverly Hills, the key factors you want your defense team to have, effective defense tactics against all sorts of charges, and more.
If you want to read about a particular topic, you can use the links in the following menu to navigate to a specific topic and learn more:
- What Your Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Crimes Lawyer Will Do For You
- Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Types and Possible Penalties
- Categories of Drug Charges in Beverly Hills, CA
- DUIs and Drug Charges Defense in Beverly Hills, CA
- What to Look For in a Drug Charges Lawyer
- Types of Defenses We Build Against Drug Allegations
- Avenues to Divert Your Drug Charges
- Impact of Drug Crime Convictions on Non-U.S. Citizens
- Drug Charge FAQs
- Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA? Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Today
- All the Drug Charges Our Lawyers Defend Against
Don't Waste Time: Contact a Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Drug charges in Beverly Hills, 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 need a drug charges lawyer immediately is to help you interpret the law. A simple possession case needs a different strategy than a possession-for-sale case, and your drug defense attorney should understand how to defend your particular charges.
The second reason to get in touch with a local Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer early in the defense process is to stop yourself from making a mistake. When you say the wrong thing to a state representative, the charges could be elevated and the state's case strengthened. A drug charges defense attorney can stop you from experiencing self-incrimination.
On top of that, your drug charges attorney will leverage local court relationships to explore different defense avenues. Early intervention prevents the state from getting a lead on you, and in many cases, we can file a motion to dismiss charges if the evidence is in your favor.
Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Types and Their Penalties:
When you work with a Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer, you should pick somone who knows how the prosecution treats different drug types. In the following section, we've listed some of the most common substances that are the center of illegal drug cases in the state.
| 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 | Also known as MDMA, Molly, and E. This affects the brain's ability to process serotonin. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive drug derived from a South American plant It is taken in a variety of ways. |
| Methamphetamine | A man-made drug that temporarily boosts energy, while harming the body. |
| Opioids | Class of drugs originally intended for use as pain relievers. These include morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. |
| Heroin | An extremely dangerous drug made by processing morphine. Courts and prosecutors often treat heroin charges harshly. |
| Fentanyl | An extremely dangerous type of opioid — roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the DEA. |
Potential legal consequences vary significantly based on substance, quantity, prior record, and the accusation you're facing. As an overview:
- As long as you are only accused of simple possession, you can typically expect misdemeanor charges. These carry a maximum jail sentence of one year. However, keep in mind misdemeanor charges aren't a guarantee, and prosecutors treat some substances more harshly than others.
- Possession for sale, sale, transport, or manufacturing are typically charged as felonies, and the sentence can change based on the specific substance and amount involved.
- Fentanyl is treated extra seriously: Proposition 36 (2024) created a list of drugs, including fentanyl, which can trigger felony enhancement if possessed along with a loaded firearm.
- Federal charges carry their own, generally harsher, sentencing structure.
Because the numbers shift based on the specific facts of a case, the exact exposure you're facing should be evaluated by an attorney who can review your charge sheet and criminal history — call us for a free case review and we'll help you find a strategy to minimize negative consequences.
Marijuana in Beverly Hills, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a plant which contains THC, a chemical compound with psychoactive properties. While the state used to have laws against its use, in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, legalizing its recreational use.
Because local laws allow for limited use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) accusations in Beverly Hills, CA, typically often revolve around who was using it and whether that person was exceeding legal limits. For example, driving with an open package of marijuana is illegal, even if you are sober.
Marijuana Legal Overview:
- Adults over the age of 21 can carry 28.5 grams of marijuana on their person
- Typically, it is legal to grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use
- Federal law still makes marijuana usage illegal.
How Your Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you're facing marijuana-related charges, we are ready for your case. For example, we can demonstrate that you had the legal right to possess marijuana, show that you did not violate any regulations, and/or show that it was properly handled at all times.
Drug Charge Categories in Beverly Hills, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are an experienced group of drug defense lawyers serving the Beverly Hills, CA, area. We help defendants fight against all kinds of drug crime allegations. In the below sections, you can learn about categories of drug crimes and some of the relevant statutes.
Drug Possession/Use Charges
The most common drug charges in Beverly Hills, CA, are often those related to possession. They cover a wide range of substances 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 Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer can help by arguing that the drugs were not actually yours, and can advocate for diversionary programs to keep you out of jail.
Relevant statutes: Simple possession of most hard drugs falls under Health and Safety Code 11350, while possession of methamphetamine has its own specific statute in HS 11377. Both are typically charged as misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in county jail, for defendants without disqualifying prior convictions.
Drug Production/Transport/Distribution Charges
Drug dealing allegations are treated much differently than drug possession. They are often given harsher sentences for allegedly making, transporting, and/or selling the substance.
- 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 charges are almost always treated more harshly than possession/use charges. A drug crimes defense lawyer can help you negotiate a plea to a less serious offense.
Relevant statutes: Possession for sale generally falls under HS 11351 (most controlled substances) or HS 11378 (methamphetamine). When charged as a 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). These charges carry longer exposure — up to nine years if the transportation crosses non-contiguous counties. With the help of an experienced Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer, you can fight for a plea deal that reduces these charges and opens up diversion opportunities.
Drug Charge Enhancements
California's drug charge enhancement laws may seem very different, but they share one common attribute: They don't qualify on their own. To be charged with an enhancement, there has to be another criminal accusation.
It's even more important to hire an experienced Beverly Hills, 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 could fall into any of the three categories above. The distinction is that you're fighting against the federal government instead of the local Beverly Hills prosecutor.
These can include anything from manufacturing to taking part in a drug conspiracy, but most often will involve large quantities and/or crossing state lines. The penalties are often much harsher, up to and including life imprisonment and substantial fines.
If you're accused of a drug crime in federal court, you're up against a lot. And you need a a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who's prepared to fight the federal prosecutor. Our office will learn your side of the story, develop a strong defense strategy, review evidence, and do whatever we can to secure a favorable result for you.
DUIs and Drug Charges Defense in Beverly Hills, CA
Drug cases often intersect with another type of case in Beverly Hills, CA: DUIs. Drug DUI defense cases can include a several circumstances, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to prescription drug usage. One aspect that sets these cases apart is that you can be taken into custody if there is any amount of THC in your system while driving (as opposed to alcoholwhich has a legal limit).
When up against drug DUI charges, you don't just need a drug charges lawyer. You also need an expert Beverly Hills, CA, DUI defense lawyer who will fight your case both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. Contact a lawyer right away — for most DUI accusations, you only have ten days after an arrest to request a hearing.
Top Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Qualitites
If you're looking for a drug charges lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA, it can be overwhelming trying to decide the right person to represent you. Your life may depend on it, after all.
Here are the top factors you want to find in your drug defense attorney:
- Extensive Experience fighting against these charges
- Knowledge of how the district attorney approaches these cases
- Existing Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your jurisdiction
- A Track Record of Victories when fighting drug charges for clients
- Availability Anytime in case an emergency occurs and you need help
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our firm fulfills all of these requirements. We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, including as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. We know judges and attorneys throughout California. And we have delivered positive results for our clients.
We don't make false promises about your case, and you can talk to us 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.
Possible Defense Tactics Against Drug Charges
The statute you violated may not be unique, but your case is. Everyone in the Beverly Hills, CA, criminal courts is there under different circumstances, and you should have a tailored defense plan to match.
Our attorneys treat every client as an individual. Here are some compelling 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: This defense can be used if there were, in fact, drugs present, but you had no control or ownership over them.
- Entrapment: In some cases, if an undercover officer coerced you into buying or using illicit drugs, you may be exempt from a conviction.
- Prescription: This isn't an option for every offense and type of drug, but some accusations can be alleviated if you were legally prescribed the substance.
- Plea Negotiations: Plea negotiations not only reduce the level of charges you're facing, but can also open up diversion avenues.
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Beverly Hills, CA, get in touch with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley today.
Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Beverly Hills has diversion and treatment options available — be sure to ask your Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer about whether or not they apply to your case. 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 often a very helpful, positive outcome for individuals accused of simple possession. It generally involves drug education classes, requirements to stay sober, and regular drug testing. The advantage of PC 1000 is that you don't end up with a conviction on your record — after completing the program, the case against you is dismissed. This helps you avoid 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 works differently than a traditional diversion program.
Under the 2024 law, individuals with two or more prior drug convictions can now be charged with a "treatment-mandated felony" for offenses that might otherwise have been charged as misdemeanors. 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); fail or refuse treatment, and you face the felony charge, and risking up to three years behind bars. The law also increased sentencing exposure tied to drug quantity for certain substances and updated the list of drugs that trigger firearm-related enhancements to include fentanyl.
Your Beverly Hills, 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
If you are a lawful permanent resident or are in Beverly Hills, CA, on a work visa, 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 narrow exception: a single offense involving possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use. This can impact lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) as well as visa holders, and it applies even if you weren't given jail time on your conviction.
Important factors to be aware of:
- Simple possession for personal use (for the majority of drugs) is ordinarilly enough to qualify for removal, but is not automatically classified as an "aggravated felony" — a distinction that can preserve certain forms of immigration relief.
- Possession for sale, sale, or trafficking convictions are far more likely to be treated as aggravated felonies, which can trigger mandatory deportation with little to no opportunity for relief or future re-entry.
- 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 doesn't include specific "aggravated felony" language — that may preserve a client's ability to stay in the country.
Because a criminal record can bring immigration consequences regardless of the sentence, you need to get expert help as soon as you're aware of an investigation. If you are a lawful permanent resident or visa holder fighting a drug charge, tell your attorney immediately — they should take immigration factors into account when working on your case.
Drug Allegation Defense 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 your case is resolved through PC 1000 or a completed Prop 36 treatment program, you may be able to have the arrest sealed or the record cleared — your drug charges defense lawyer can help you navigate these options.
If the police catch me with drugs in my possession, do I have to answer their questions?
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Politely decline to answer questions beyond identifying yourself, and ask for an attorney right away — anything you say can be used to elevate a simple possession charge to a possession-for-sale charge.
Can I expunge a previous drug conviction in Beverly Hills, CA?
If you were given probation, you may be eligible for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4, though whether or not you are eligible can be affected by the specific charge and your previous conviction record. The conviction can still potentially be used as grounds for deportation, though, which is why green card and visa holders need immigration-aware counsel handling both the criminal case and any later cleanup.
What's the difference between PC 1000 and Proposition 36 diversion?
First-time, simple possession offenses can take advantage of PC 1000. This requires participation in an education program and regular drug testing, but can result in the dismissal of all charges. 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. Your eligibility is ultimately determined by the underlying charge and your existing record.
Is a first-time drug possession charge a felony in Beverly Hills, CA?
For most first-time possession cases in Beverly Hills, CA, you'll only face a misdemeanor charge. This isn't true for every drug charge in Beverly Hills, though: More serious allegations like selling drugs are normally treated as a felony regardless of whether this is your first time being charged or not.
Get Help Now: Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley for a Drug Charges Lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA
This isn't a time to settle for "good enough." Your future matters, and it depends on picking the right law firm. Fortunately, we're here to help.
The Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley takes advantage of every opportunity we find to deliver positive results for clients. We defend all kinds of major criminal charges, including drug crime allegations. We will always be honest with you and will fight for the best outcome possible.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Beverly Hills, CA:
- Domestic Violence Lawyer
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak to your Beverly Hills drug defense attorney right away at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online to set up a free case evaluation.
Drug Charges Our Lawyers Fight in Beverly Hills, CA:
- 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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