Drug Charges Lawyer in Redlands, CA. Drug crimes in Redlands, CA, come in many forms. It's possible for what could be a simple possession charge to be elevated into possession for sale or even trafficking. These laws cover substances from prescription medications to fentanyl. The fallout from a drug crime conviction can turn your world upside down.
You need someone who can guide you to a positive outcome. You need Redlands, CA's leading criminal defense lawyer in your corner. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Redlands drug charges lawyers will be by your side from day one. We will listen to you explain your side of the story, discuss defense tactics, and represent you all the way through trial. To start fighting the charges, contact our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or use our contact form right away.
Redlands, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, you can learn about the importance of having a drug defense lawyer in Redlands, CA, the types of substances considered illegal in Redlands, the qualities your attorney should have, strategies we may use in your case, and diversionary programs we can help you explore.
If you want to read about a particular topic, click on the appropriate link below to jump ahead and learn more:
- What Your Redlands, CA, Drug Crimes Lawyer Will Do For You
- Common Drug Types and Potential Penalties
- Different Types of Drug Crime Allegations in Redlands, CA
- DUIs and Drug Charges Defense in Redlands, CA
- Top Drug Defense Attorney Qualities
- Possible Defenses That We Use in Drug Cases
- Avenues to Divert Your Drug Charges
- Impact of Drug Crime Convictions on Non-U.S. Citizens
- Drug Allegation FAQs
- Get in Touch With a Drug Charges Lawyer in Redlands, CA, Today
- Every Drug Charge Our Attorneys Defend Against
Don't Waste Time: Contact a Redlands, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Drug charges in Redlands, CA, always need to be taken seriously. Two people who committed similar acts can face very different charges, meaning there's always a risk of an extended stay in jail.
The first reason you should work with a drug charges lawyer immediately is to explain the charges. A simple possession case takes a different set of skills than a drug manufacturing case, and your drug defense attorney should have strategies to defend your particular charges.
The second reason to get in touch with a local Redlands, CA, drug charges lawyer first thing in your case is to lower your chances of doing something you shouldn't. If you say something incorrect in an interrogation, what was once just a possession charge could now be a trafficking charge. Your lawyer can advise what to share and what not to share with the state.
Additionally, your drug charges attorney will open doors for new strategies through plea negotiations. Connecting with a lawyer early prevents the state from getting a lead on you, and can even give you a better chance of having the court dismiss charges if we can act before the state builds a compelling case.
Redlands, CA, Drug Types and Their Penalties:
When deciding on a Redlands, CA, drug charges lawyer, you should pick somone 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 | While most prescription drugs are technically legal, it can be illegal to possess or use them without permission. |
| Ecstacy | Also known as MDMA, Molly, and E. Use can cause both mood and psychedelic effects. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive drug derived from a South American plant Long term use can dampen the brain's reward pathway. |
| Methamphetamine | A stimulant known to affect people's energy levels and emotional stability. |
| Opioids | Class of drugs originally intended for use as pain relievers. These include morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. |
| Heroin | A highly refined type of opioid. 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 based on substance, quantity, prior record, and the act you're being accused of. For some typical accusations:
- 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, with sentencing ranges that depend heavily on the specific drug and amount involved.
- Fentanyl cases are particularly harsh: Proposition 36 (2024) added fentanyl alongside cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine to a list of drugs that trigger felony enhancement when possessed together with a loaded firearm, and it increased sentencing exposure tied to quantity for several substances.
- Federal charges carry their own, generally harsher, sentencing structure.
Every case is unique, and it can be hard to find answers on your own — call our office for a free case review and we'll help you find a strategy to minimize negative consequences.
Marijuana in Redlands, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a plant which is popularly smoked to get high. California used to outlaw the use of marijuana, however, in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, letting people use it recreationally.
Because local laws allow for limited use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) allegations in Redlands, CA, typically often revolve around who was using it and whether that person was exceeding legal limits. For example, you're allowed to grow a small number of plants for personal use, but they must be kept in a private, secure area.
Marijuana Legal Overview:
- Legal in limited quantities for adults 21 and older
- Generally, it is legal to grow up to six marijuana plants
- Federal law still makes marijuana usage illegal.
How Your Redlands, 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, demonstrate that you did not exceed state limits, and/or show that it was properly handled at all times.
Different Types of Drug Charges in Redlands, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you against drug charges in Redlands, CA. Whatever charges you are facing, we're ready to defend your innocence. Read the sections below to learn more about the different categories of charges and how our criminal defense attorneys can help.
Drug Possession/Use Charges
The most common drug charges in Redlands, CA, are often those related to possession. All illegal chemicals can fall under this umbrella, 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 Redlands, CA, drug charges lawyer can build defenses that cast doubt on whether or not the drugs were in your possession, and can protect your freedom through diversionary programs, if applicable.
Relevant statutes: Health and Safety Code 11350 covers most hard drug possession accusations, while possession of methamphetamine specifically falls under 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
Accusations of drug production, transportation, and distribution take on the other side of a drug deal: The alleged 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: 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). Sentences for these charges can be even more severe — up to nine years if the transportation crosses non-contiguous counties. A drug charges laywer who can negotiate your charges down is essential, if you want to become eligible for common diversion programs like PC 1000 or Proposition 36.
Drug Charge Enhancements
California's drug charge enhancement laws cover a variety of situations, but one thing connects them together: 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 Redlands, 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 the U.S. government is prosecuting you, not just the Redlands district attorney.
These can include anything from trafficking to running a drug ring, 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, 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 leading criminal defense lawyer who's prepared to fight the federal prosecutor. Our office will protect your rights, develop a strong defense strategy, challenge evidence, and make every effort to secure a favorable result for your case.
Redlands, CA Drug Charges and DUIs
There isn't one single law that completely covers DUIs involving illegal substances. Drug DUI defense cases can include a several situations, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to prescription drug usage. 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 only has a "zero tolerance" law people who are underage).
When up against drug DUI charges, you don't just need a drug charges lawyer. You also need an expert Redlands, CA, DUI defense lawyer who will fight your case both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. Don't wait to get help — for most DUI cases, you only have ten days after an arrest to request a hearing.
How to Find the Right Drug Crimes Defense Attorney
When you are considering your options for a drug charges lawyer in Redlands, CA, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one to represent you. Your freedom and rights hang in the balance.
Here are the top factors you want to see in your drug defense attorney:
- Vast Experience defending clients in your situation
- Personal Experience as a prosecutor
- Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your jurisdiction
- A Track Record of Success against the state for these charges
- Availability Anytime so that you can get help when you need it most
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we embody each of these qualities. We have over five decades of combined courtroom experience, including former prosecutors. We have a wide reach with relationships across the state of California. And we have delivered positive results for Californians.
We will always be honest with you about the state of your case, and you can call us 24/7 if something new develops.
Ways Our Lawyers Defend Against Drug Charges
Your charges might be the same as someone else's, but your case is unique. No two cases in Redlands, CA, are identical, and you should have a customized defense strategy to match.
Our attorneys treat every client as an individual. Below are some staunch strategies your drug charges lawyer will consider:
- Illegal Search and Seizure: By getting evidence thrown out, the case against you can be weakened.
- 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.
- Didn't Belong to You: 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 rare cases, if an undercover police officer coerced you into violating the law, you can be found innocent of the criminal charges.
- 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: 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 you've been accused of a drug crime in Redlands, CA, contact one of our lawyers for immediate help.
Redlands, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Redlands has diversion and treatment options available, which your Redlands, CA, drug charges lawyer can try to utilize in your case. To qualify, defendants must meet legal guidelines. 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. If you participate in this, you can expect to participate in 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 prevents you from going through 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.
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); if you don't take this option, you'll have to fight the felony charge, with a prison sentence of up to three years. The law 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 Redlands, CA, drug charges lawyer is here to help you understand the charges, advocate for that path where it's available, and come up with a strategy that maximizes your chances of a positive outcome.
How a Drug Conviction in Redlands, CA, Affects Immigration Status
For immigrants in Redlands, CA, you're facing even more serious consequences than a U.S. citizen — and this is an area where our firm's dual criminal defense and immigration practice gives clients a real advantage.
The federal government can initiate removal proceedings for most drug convictions, with a sole 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 the majority of drugs) is normally 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 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. Our firm works hard to find outcomes — such as a plea to a non-drug offense, or a disposition that avoids specific "aggravated felony" language — that may preserve a client's ability to stay in the country.
Because the conviction, regardless of the sentence, has such a big immigration impact, 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 case, tell your attorney immediately — this materially changes how your case should be defended.
Drug Charge Frequently Asked Questions
Will a drug charge show up on a background check even if the case is dismissed?
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 eligible 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 are not required to answer any self-incriminating questions during an interrogation. Politely but firmly refuse to answer any questions outside of providing your identity, 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 a drug conviction be expunged in Redlands, CA?
Many drug convictions can be expunged under Penal Code 1203.4 once probation is successfully completed, though whether or not you are eligible can be affected by the specific charge and your previous conviction record. An expungement does not erase a conviction for federal immigration purposes, 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?
PC 1000 is available for qualifying first-time or low-level possession offenses and leads to dismissal after completing education and testing requirements. The 2024 version of Proposition 36 functions differently: It allows what ordinarily would be charged as misdemeanors to now be charged as felonies, if you have prior drug convictions on your record. However, it also allows for a court-mandated treatment program, completion of which results in the dismissal of felony charges. Which one applies depends on your charge and criminal history.
Is a first-time drug possession charge a felony in Redlands, CA?
Simple possession of most controlled substances for personal use is typically a misdemeanor for first-time offenders. Distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking charges are different, though: These are normally treated as felonies, even for a first-time offender.
Get Help Now: Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley for a Drug Charges Lawyer in Redlands, CA
These charges need to be treated seriously Your future matters, and it depends on partnering with the right defense lawyer. We are ready to take your case.
The Redlands, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are known for delivering positive outcomes for clients. We have relationships in courts across California. We explore every avenue to find the right path forward for our clients.
Our firm can also assist you with the following legal services in Redlands, CA:
- Domestic Violence Lawyer
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak to your Redlands drug crimes defense attorney right away at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a free 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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