Drug Charges Lawyer in Pico Rivera, CA. Whatever drug accusations you're facing in Pico Rivera, CA, it's not an easy thing to handle. 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 marijuana to heroin. If found guilty, you can face life-altering consequences.
Stop these charges before it becomes a worst-case scenario. You need Pico Rivera, CA's leading criminal defense law firm on your case. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Pico Rivera 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 begin fighting the charges, call our team at (800) 755-5174 or set up a free, confidential consultation now.
Pico Rivera, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, you can read about what a Pico Rivera, CA, drug charges attorney can do to defend you, categories of drug crime allegations in Pico Rivera, the qualities your attorney should have, effective defense tactics against all sorts of charges, and more.
To learn about a specific topic, you can use the links below to navigate to a specific topic and learn more:
- Top Reasons to Work With a Drug Crimes Defense Attorney in Pico Rivera, CA
- Popular Drug Types and Possible Penalties
- Categories of Drug Charges in Pico Rivera, CA
- DUIs and Drug Charges Defense in Pico Rivera, CA
- Top Drug Defense Attorney Qualities
- Strong Defense Strategies Our Attorneys Use in Drug Cases
- Pico Rivera, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options
- Impact of Drug Crime Convictions on Non-U.S. Citizens
- Drug Crime FAQs
- Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Pico Rivera, CA? Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Today
- All the Drug Charges Our Team Will Fight Against
The Importance of a Pico Rivera, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Pico Rivera, CA, it's a big deal, no matter what. Two people who committed similar acts can face very different charges, meaning you can always face an extended stay in jail.
The first reason you should contact a drug charges lawyer right away is to help you understand the charges. A simple possession case needs a different strategy than a possession-for-sale case, and your drug defense attorney should have strategies to defend your particular charges.
The second reason to call a local Pico Rivera, CA, drug charges lawyer right away is to protect yourself from mistakes. When you say the wrong thing to a state representative, the charges could be elevated and the state's case strengthened. Your defense attorney can help you talk to police the right way, instead of incriminating yourself.
Additionally, your drug charges lawyer will give you access to expertise and relationships you wouldn't otherwise have. Early intervention lets us build a defense before the prosecution has completed its case, and in many cases, we can file a motion to dismiss charges if we act early enough.
Common Drug Types in Pico Rivera, CA, Legal Cases:
When picking a Pico Rivera, CA, drug charges lawyer, you want someone who has experience with the type of drug you're facing allegation for. Below, we've listed some of the substances against which we have practice defending related charges.
| Drug Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | These include substances like Xanax or Adderall, which aren't supposed to be taken without a doctor's authorization. |
| Ecstacy | A synthetic drug closely related to methamphetamine. This affects the brain's ability to process serotonin. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive stimulant which can cause intense effects 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. |
Sentences vary significantly based on the type of drug, how much there was, your criminal record, and the act you're being accused of. 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 rarely treated as misdemeanors. They're often felonies, with sentencing ranges that depend heavily 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 our office for a free case review and we'll help you get an idea of what you're up against.
Marijuana in Pico Rivera, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a plant which is popularly smoked to get high. While the state used to have laws against its use, in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, letting people use it recreationally.
Because it has been legalized for recreational use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) charges in Pico Rivera, CA, typically center around when and where it is used. 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
- Typically, adults over 21 can grow up to six marijuana plants
- Federal law still makes marijuana usage illegal.
How Your Pico Rivera, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you're facing marijuana-related charges, we can help. For example, we can show the legality of your ownership, argue that you remained within legal limitations, and/or show off the proper regulatory procedures which you adhered to.
Drug Charge Categories in Pico Rivera, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of drug charges in Pico Rivera, CA. Whatever charges you are facing, we're ready to defend your innocence. In the sections below, you can learn about different categories of drug crimes and what a lawyer can do to assist you.
Drug Possession/Use Charges
The most common drug charges in Pico Rivera, CA, are often those related to possession. These can be charged for any illegal substance and these charges can apply if the drugs are on your person, in your vehicle, or anywhere you would control access to them.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
- Hard Drug Possession
Your Pico Rivera, CA, drug charges lawyer fight for illegally obtained evidence to be thrown out, and can advocate for diversionary programs to keep you out of jail.
Relevant statutes: Health and Safety Code 11350 covers most hard drug possession accusations, while possession of methamphetamine is instead covered by HS 11377. Generally, these possession charges are handled as misdemeanors.
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
A conviction of one of these charges typically means a much longer prison sentence than for simple possession. On top of fighting the charges, your drug defense attorney can help you explore plea deals, if they make sense for your case.
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. For these felony charges, each is punishable by two, three, or four years in state prison and fines up to $20,000. HS 11352 converse sale or transportaiont charges for most substances, while HS 11379 does the same for 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 cover a variety of situations, but all have one thing in common: 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 Pico Rivera, 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 Pico Rivera prosecutor.
These can include anything from production to transportation to running a drug ring, but most often 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 a leading criminal defense lawyer who has the strength to battle the federal prosecutor. Our team of attorneys will conduct investigations, look for legal loopholes, dissect the case against you, and make every effort to secure a favorable outcome for your case.
DUIs and Drug Charges Defense in Pico Rivera, CA
There isn't one single law that completely covers DUIs involving illegal substances. Drug DUI defense cases cover a wide range of situations, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to driving after taking certain medications. What's worse, 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 accused of this type of charge, you don't just need a drug charges lawyer. You also need a skillful Pico Rivera, CA, DUI defense lawyer who fight on your behalf both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. But you need to act fast — in most cases, you only have ten days after an arrest to request a hearing.
How to Find the Right Drug Crimes Defense Attorney
If you're looking for a drug charges lawyer in Pico Rivera, CA, it can be a challenge trying to decide which one to represent you. With so much at stake, you don't want to make the wrong choice.
Here are the top factors you want to find in your drug allegations defense attorney:
- Prior Experience defending clients in your situation
- Intimate Knowledge of how the state builds its case against you
- Existing Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your local county
- A Reputation of Delivering Victories 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, we embody each of these qualities. We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. 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 call us 24/7 if you need anything from our offices.
Possible Defense Tactics Against Drug Charges
Whatever law you're accused of breaking, you have your own unique story to tell. Everyone in the Pico Rivera, CA, criminal courts is there under different circumstances, and you should have a unique defense strategy to match.
Our attorneys treat every client as an individual. Below are some of the possible strategies your drug charges lawyer will consider:
- Illegal Search and Seizure: This can suppress evidence that was unlawfully obtained.
- Lack of Intent: If you did hold or transport illegal drugs, but weren't aware of it, you shouldn't be found guilty because you didn't mean to break the law.
- Somone Else's 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 violating the law, 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: In some cases, where it's not reasonable for the alleged offender to have the charges dropped entirely, a positive outcome can still be achieved through a plea deal.
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Pico Rivera, CA, call one of our lawyers for immediate help.
Pico Rivera, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Pico Rivera has diversion and treatment options available — be sure to ask your Pico Rivera, 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. If you participate in this, you can expect to participate in drug education classes, sobriety requirements, and regular drug testing. If you go through the PC 1000 program and complete it without any issues, your original charges are dismissed, keeping a criminal conviction off of 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 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. Rather than an automatic alternative to jail, this creates 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, including up to three years in custody. 2024's Proposition 36 also increased sentencing exposure tied to drug quantity for certain substances and updated firearm-related enhancement laws to include fentanyl on the list of relevant substances.
Your Pico Rivera, CA, drug charges lawyer is here to help you understand the charges, advocate for that path where it's available, and fight to keep a conviction off your record.
Drug Convictions' Impact on Immigration Status
If you are a lawful permanent resident or are in Pico Rivera, CA, on a work visa, you're facing even more serious consequences than a U.S. citizen — you need a law firm who can help you fight the criminal charges and defend you in immigration court, if necessary.
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 impact 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.
Some important things to keep in mind:
- Simple possession for personal use (for the majority of drugs) is generally grounds for deportation, but is not automatically classified as an "aggravated felony" — this means that you'll have access to some important immigration relief options.
- Possession for sale, sale, or trafficking convictions are significantly more serious. They are often considered 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 required to inform you about these immigration implications prior to entering your plea. We will fight for an outcome — such as a plea deal for a different offense, or a disposition that doesn't include specific "aggravated felony" language — which minimizes your chances of being deported.
Because a criminal record can bring immigration consequences regardless of the sentence, decisions made early in a criminal case can matter as much as, or more than, the eventual sentence itself. If you are a non-citizen up against a drug charge, tell your attorney immediately — this plays a major role in your case, and your lawyer should help you on both fronts.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my drug charges are dismissed, can anyone still see them?
Even if there isn't a criminal conviction, a background check can still show your arrest. Diversion programs such as PC 1000 or Proposition 36 can help. If you participate in one of these, you may be eligible to have the arrest sealed or the record cleared — ask your attorney what applies to your specific case.
Do I have to talk to police if I'm caught with drugs?
No. You are not required to answer any self-incriminating questions during an interrogation. Politely decline to answer questions beyond identifying yourself, and ask for a lawyer 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 Pico Rivera, CA?
If you were given probation, you may be eligible for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4, 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 non-citizens need support from a lawyer who can handle both criminal and immigration defense.
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. To learn more about how to explore these paths, speak to an attorney today.
Is a first-time drug possession charge a felony in Pico Rivera, CA?
For most first-time possession cases in Pico Rivera, CA, you'll only face a misdemeanor charge. Possession with intent to sell, manufacturing, or trafficking charges are generally felonies regardless of prior record.
Don't Gamble With Your Freedom: Talk to Our Pico Rivera, CA, Drug Charges Lawyers Today
This isn't a time to settle for "good enough." It's important to fight for a positive outcome, and it depends on picking the right attorney. Our team is ready to stand by your side.
The Pico Rivera, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are known for delivering positive outcomes for clients. We defend all kinds of major criminal charges, including drug crime allegations. We explore every avenue to find the right path forward for our clients.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Pico Rivera, CA:
- Domestic Violence Lawyer
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak to your Pico Rivera drug charges defense lawyer right away at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online to set up a no-strings 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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