Drug Charges Lawyer in Reseda, CA. Whatever drug accusations you're facing in Reseda, CA, it's not an easy thing to handle. 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 methamphetamine to fentanyl. But they all share one thing in common: Major legal consequences.
You need someone who can guide you to a positive outcome. You need Reseda, CA's premier criminal defense lawyer on your case. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Reseda drug charges lawyers know the ins and outs of California drug laws. We will research the statute in detail, explain your best options, and stand by you in front of the judge and jury if your case reaches a trial. To start building your defense, call our legal team at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online right away.
Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
On this page, we will go over the importance of having a drug defense lawyer in Reseda, CA, categories of drug crime allegations in Reseda, the most important things to look for in your defense lawyer, strategies we may use in your case, and the intersection between drug charges and DUIs in Reseda.
To learn about a specific topic, click on the appropriate link in the list below to jump ahead and learn more:
- Why You Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Reseda, CA, NOW
- Common Drug Types and Potential Penalties
- Different Types of Drug Crime Allegations in Reseda, CA
- DUIs and Drug Charges Defense in Reseda, CA
- What to Look For in a Drug Charges Lawyer
- Types of Defenses We Build Against Drug Allegations
- Reseda, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options
- Impact of Drug Crime Convictions on Non-U.S. Citizens
- Drug Crime FAQs
- Get in Touch With a Drug Charges Lawyer in Reseda, CA, Today
- Every Drug Charge Our Team Will Defend Against
The Importance of a Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer
There's no such thing as a "minor" drug charge in Reseda, CA. The same action can be interpreted by the state in multiple ways, meaning you can always face an extended stay in jail.
The first reason you should work with a drug charges lawyer immediately is to give you an understanding of the accusations. A simple possession case shouldn't be treated the same as a drug trafficking case, and your defense attorney should understand how to fight your particular charges.
The second reason to call a local Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer right away is to lower your chances of doing something you shouldn't. If you say something incorrect in an interrogation, you could see simple possession allegations elevated to possession-for-sale accusations. A drug charges lawyer can help you talk to police the right way, instead of incriminating yourself.
Additionally, your drug charges attorney will leverage local court relationships to explore different defense avenues. Acting fast 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.
Drug Types and Legal Context in Reseda, CA:
When deciding on a Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer, you should go with an attorney who has experience with the type of drug you're facing allegation for. Below, we've outlined what types of drugs we most frequently defend charges for in Reseda, CA.
| Drug Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | While most prescription drugs are technically legal, it can be illegal to possess or use them without permission. |
| Ecstacy | A synthetic drug closely related to methamphetamine. A stimulant often used at parties. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive drug which can cause intense effects 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 very addictive substance, and one of the most dangerous opioids. 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 by the type of drug, how much there was, any prior convictions, and whether the charge is possession, possession-for-sale, or sale/transport. 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 rarely treated as misdemeanors. They're often felonies, and the sentence can change based on the specific substance and amount involved.
- Fentanyl is treated extra seriously: 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.
- If the federal government accuses you of a drug crime, the potential penalties are often more serious.
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 evaluation and we'll help you get an idea of what you're up against.
Marijuana in Reseda, 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, allowing it in recreational circumstances.
Since local laws allow for limited use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) allegations in Reseda, CA, most often 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:
- Adults over the age of 21 can carry 28.5 grams of marijuana on their person
- In most cases, it is legal to grow up to six marijuana plants
- Still illegal to use or possess under federal law.
How Your Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you've been accused of marijuana-related charges, we can help. For example, we can argue that you were permitted to have cannabis, argue that you remained within legal limitations, and/or show that it was properly handled at all times.
Drug Charge Categories in Reseda, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you against drug charges in Reseda, CA. 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 Reseda, CA, are often those related to possession. These can be charged for any illegal substance and these charges can apply regardless of where the drugs were physically at, as long as you controlled them.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
- Hard Drug Possession
Your Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer can build defenses that cast doubt on whether or not the drugs were in your possession, 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 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
A conviction of one of these charges typically means a much longer prison sentence than for simple 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). Sentences for these charges can be even more severe — 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 may seem very different, but one thing connects them together: They don't stand on their own. In order to be charged with an enhancement, there also needs to be an underlying base charge.
It's even more important to hire an experienced Reseda, 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. What sets these apart is that you're fighting against the federal government instead of the local Reseda prosecutor.
These can include anything from manufacturing 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. Sentences are often more severe, up to and including life imprisonment and substantial fines.
It's hard to think of many charges worse to face than this. And you need a an experienced criminal defense lawyer who's prepared to match the United States government. Our firm will conduct investigations, develop a strong defense strategy, challenge evidence, and do whatever we can to secure a favorable outcome for your case.
Reseda, CA Drug Charges and DUIs
Drug cases often intersect with another type of case in Reseda, CA: DUIs. Drug DUI defense cases can include a several 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 only has a "zero tolerance" law people who are underage).
When accused of this type of charge, you don't just need a drug charges lawyer. You also need an expert Reseda, CA, DUI defense lawyer who argue for you both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. Don't wait to get help — for most DUI cases, you need to request a hearing within ten days of your arrest.
How to Find the Right Drug Crimes Defense Attorney
When picking a drug charges lawyer in Reseda, CA, to take your case, it can feel impossible trying to decide the right person to represent you. Your life may depend on it, after all.
These are the main qualities you want to look for in your drug crimes defense attorney:
- Prior Experience fighting against these charges
- Knowledge of how the district attorney approaches these cases
- Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your jurisdiction
- A History of 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, our firm fulfills all of these requirements. We have over five decades of combined courtroom experience, including former prosecutors. We offer legal services throughout California. And we have a history of delivering positive outcomes for Californians.
We don't make false promises about your case, and you can get a hold of us 24/7 if something new develops.
Possible Defense Tactics Against Drug Charges
Your charges might be the same as someone else's, but your case is unique. The details are different for every criminal case in Reseda, CA, and you should have a tailored defense strategy to match.
While we use some common base strategies, we'll build your defense out to fit your unique circumstances. Below are some staunch 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: Most laws surrounding drugs only make it a crime if you intend to break them.
- Didn't Belong to You: This defense can be used if there were, in fact, drugs present, but you had no control or ownership over them.
- Entrapment: In rare cases, if an undercover officer coerced you into violating the law, you can be found innocent of the criminal charges.
- Prescription: These defenses hinge on your medical status, and if a doctor prescribed you a given 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're looking for a drug charges lawyer in Reseda, CA, call one of our lawyers today.
Reseda, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Reseda has diversion and treatment options available — be sure to ask your Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer about whether or not they apply to your case. To qualify, defendants must fit certain criteria. These are some of the :
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, which took effect in December 2024, changed California's approach to repeat drug offenses. It's important to understand that this is a different, newer law than the Proposition 36 passed in 2000, and it takes a different approach than a typical diversion program.
Under the 2024 rules, 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.
While this doesn't automatically keep people out of jail, it creates a choice: complete court-mandated treatment, and the underlying drug charge case is dropped (the arrest record will remain, but is sealed); you can opt to refuse treatment, but you'll be up against the underlying 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 Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer is here to help you understand the charges, explore sentencing and charge alternatives with you, and stand by your side no matter which route you take.
How a Drug Conviction in Reseda, CA, Affects Immigration Status
If you are a lawful permanent resident or are in Reseda, CA, on a work visa, you might have to defend yourself against removal as well as criminal charges — you need a law firm who can help you fight the criminal charges and defend you in immigration court, if necessary.
Under federal immigration law, a conviction for almost any controlled substance offense can make a non-citizen deportable, with one narrow exception: a single offense involving possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use. This applies to 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 (other than certain rare substances) is ordinarilly 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 far more likely to be treated as 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 required to tell you about these immigration consequences before you make a plea. We will fight for an outcome — such as a plea deal for a different 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 the conviction, regardless of the sentence, has such a big immigration impact, 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 facing any 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?
Even if you're not convicted of the underlying charge, a background check can still show the arrest. 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 — an attorney can help you explore 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 decline to answer questions beyond identifying yourself, and request counsel right away — anything you say can be used to elevate a simple possession charge to a possession-for-sale charge.
Can I get my record sealed after a drug conviction in Reseda, 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. 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 immigration-aware counsel handling both the criminal case and any later cleanup.
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 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. To learn more about how to explore these paths, speak to an attorney today.
Does Reseda, CA, prosecute drug possession charges as felonies?
It's rare for first-time possession cases to be charged as a felony in Reseda, CA — they're typically treated as misdemeanors. This isn't true for every drug charge in Reseda, 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.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Be Your Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer
This isn't a time to settle for "good enough." Your future matters, and it depends on picking the right law firm. We are ready to take your case.
The Reseda, 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 are prepared to defend you against a variety of drug charges, both misdemeanor and felony. We will build a strong defense for you against your charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Reseda, CA:
- Domestic Violence Lawyer
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Talk to your Reseda drug charges lawyer today at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a free, confidential review of your charges.
Drug Charges Our Lawyers Fight in Reseda, 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)
Payment Plans
