A drug crime conviction in California can follow you for the rest of your life. Even a first-time possession charge can create a permanent criminal record that affects your career, housing, professional license, child custody, and immigration status. If you or someone you love has been arrested for a drug offense in North Hollywood, Burbank, or anywhere in Los Angeles County, you need an experienced drug crime lawyer on your side before you say anything to law enforcement.

At Wegman & Levin APC, our criminal defense attorneys have represented clients facing state and federal drug charges for over 65 years combined. We fight for dismissed charges, reduced penalties, and diversion alternatives for clients throughout Southern California. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Drug Charges We Defend in Los Angeles County

California’s Health and Safety Code governs most drug-related offenses at the state level. Our drug crime lawyers represent clients facing the full range of charges, including:

Drug Possession (HS 11350, HS 11357, HS 11377): Simple possession of a controlled substance is a misdemeanor under Proposition 47 for most substances. However, prior convictions, the type of drug, and the quantity involved can change the charge and the penalties significantly. Do California drug possession charges ever get dropped?

Possession for Sale (HS 11351, HS 11359, HS 11378): Prosecutors charge possession for sale when evidence such as scales, baggies, large quantities, or cash suggests the drugs were intended for distribution rather than personal use. This is a felony offense carrying 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison.

Drug Trafficking and Transportation (HS 11352, HS 11360, HS 11379): Transporting, selling, furnishing, or administering a controlled substance is a felony in California. Penalties range from 3 to 9 years in state prison and increase significantly when the offense crosses county or state lines. Learn more about drug sales and transportation laws in Los Angeles County.

Drug Manufacturing: Producing, processing, or converting illegal substances can result in felony charges with sentences of 3, 5, or 7 years depending on the substance and the scale of the operation. Precursor chemicals and lab equipment can be used as evidence even before any finished product exists.

Possession with Intent to Distribute: The line between personal use and intent to distribute is often contested. Prosecutors rely on quantity, packaging, and circumstantial evidence. A skilled drug charges lawyer can challenge the interpretation of that evidence and argue for a lesser charge.

Prescription Drug Offenses: Unauthorized possession, fraudulent acquisition, or sale of prescription controlled substances is increasingly prosecuted in Los Angeles County. These cases often involve Schedule II and III drugs like Adderall, OxyContin, and Xanax.

Other charges our firm handles include driving under the influence of marijuana or drugs, unlicensed cannabis sales, selling drugs near a school zone, drug solicitation, and representation for defendants who do not qualify under Proposition 47.

Understanding Drug Schedules in California

California classifies controlled substances under the federal DEA Schedule system. The schedule of the drug involved in your case directly affects how aggressively prosecutors will pursue charges and the severity of any sentence if convicted.

Schedule I: No accepted medical use and high abuse potential. Includes heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote. Charges involving Schedule I substances carry the most serious penalties.

Schedule II: High abuse potential with accepted but severely restricted medical use. Includes cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, Adderall, OxyContin, and Ritalin.

Schedule III: Moderate to low potential for dependence. Includes anabolic steroids, ketamine, testosterone, and substances containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit.

Schedule IV: Low potential for abuse or dependence. Includes Valium, Ambien, Xanax, Darvocet, and Tramadol.

Schedule V: Low abuse potential, often used medically. Includes cough preparations containing less than 200 milligrams of codeine.

The higher the schedule, the harsher the potential sentence. Our drug crime attorneys will examine the specific substances involved in your case and build a defense strategy based on that classification.

Penalties for a Drug Crime Conviction in California

The penalties for a drug conviction depend on the substance, the quantity, the charge, your prior criminal history, and whether the case is prosecuted at the state or federal level. Here is what you may be facing:

Simple Drug Possession: Under Proposition 47, simple possession of most controlled substances is a misdemeanor in California, punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, possession of large quantities or certain substances may still result in felony charges.

Possession for Sale: A felony in California, typically punishable by 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison for most substances, along with fines up to $20,000.

Drug Trafficking and Transportation: A felony punishable by 3 to 9 years in state prison. Sentences increase when the offense involves crossing county lines, large quantities, or weapons.

Drug Manufacturing: Under HS 11379.6, drug manufacturing is punishable by 3, 5, or 7 years in state prison and fines up to $50,000. When a child under 16 is physically present at the site, the court adds 2 consecutive years to the base sentence, bringing the potential range to 5, 7, or 9 years.

Federal Drug Charges: Federal drug convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences under federal sentencing guidelines. Trafficking 500 grams or more of powder cocaine triggers a five-year mandatory minimum; 5 kilograms or more triggers a ten-year mandatory minimum under 21 USC 841. Even a first offense for trafficking quantities above federal thresholds can result in 5 to 40 years in federal prison.

Beyond incarceration, a conviction can mean loss of voting rights, loss of firearm rights, deportation or inadmissibility for non-citizens, suspension of a professional license, loss of child custody, and a permanent criminal record that appears on every background check. Read more about what happens after a drug arrest in Los Angeles.

State vs. Federal Drug Charges in California

Most drug possession and small-scale sales cases are prosecuted in California state courts under the Health and Safety Code. State penalties, while serious, generally offer more flexibility — including diversion programs, probation, and county jail alternatives.

Federal drug charges typically arise when a case involves large quantities of controlled substances, transportation across state or international borders, the use of weapons, money laundering, or the involvement of federal agencies such as the DEA or FBI. Federal sentencing is governed by mandatory minimums, leaving judges little discretion to reduce sentences, even for first-time offenders.

If federal agents were involved in your arrest, or if your case is being handled by U.S. attorneys rather than the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, you are facing a federal drug case. The stakes are significantly higher. Contact our office immediately for legal representation if you are under federal investigation or have been charged with a federal drug crime in Los Angeles County.

Drug Crime Defense Strategies We Use

No two drug cases are identical. Our criminal defense attorneys build individualized defense strategies based on the specific facts, evidence, and circumstances of each client’s situation. Strategies we employ include:

Challenging the legality of the search and seizure: The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches. If law enforcement conducted a warrantless search without valid consent or a recognized exception, any evidence obtained may be suppressible. Learn more about how an attorney can prevent a conviction if drugs were found during an illegal search.

Challenging the evidence: We examine the chain of custody for all physical evidence, including how drugs were collected, stored, and tested. Errors in laboratory analysis or breaks in the chain of custody can invalidate the prosecution’s evidence.

Questioning witness and informant credibility: Prosecutions often rely on the testimony of informants or witnesses with their own legal exposure. We scrutinize their reliability, prior statements, and incentives to cooperate.

Arguing lack of knowledge or possession: Constructive possession cases — where drugs were found in a shared space or vehicle — require the prosecution to prove you knew about the drugs and had control over them. This element is often contestable.

Pursuing diversion programs: California offers several alternatives to incarceration for drug offenders, including Proposition 36 drug treatment, PC 1000 pretrial diversion, and mental health diversion under PC 1001.36. Our attorneys will evaluate whether you qualify and advocate for enrollment in lieu of prosecution. Read more about pretrial diversion programs for drug charges in Los Angeles County.

Negotiating reduced charges: Where a full dismissal is not possible, we negotiate aggressively for reduced charges, lesser included offenses, or sentencing alternatives that protect your future.

Why Choose Wegman & Levin as Your Drug Crime Lawyer

With over 65 years of combined criminal defense experience, Wegman & Levin APC has represented hundreds of clients facing drug charges at every level — from first-time misdemeanor possession to complex federal drug trafficking cases. Our firm operates with a smaller, focused team by design: every client receives direct communication with their attorney, not a paralegal, and every case receives the attention it deserves.

We represent clients throughout North Hollywood, Burbank, Studio City, Van Nuys, and the broader Los Angeles County area. Whether you are looking for a drug possession lawyer near you after a recent arrest, or you have been under investigation for months, our team is prepared to step in immediately and protect your rights. Learn more about how an attorney can keep you from a possession conviction.

A drug conviction is not inevitable. Cases that other firms may consider unwinnable have resulted in dismissed charges, reduced penalties, and diversion outcomes in our hands. Before you accept a plea deal or speak further with law enforcement, talk to one of our attorneys.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Charges in California

Is drug possession a felony in California?

Under Proposition 47, simple possession of most controlled substances — including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs — is a misdemeanor for most defendants. However, possession of large quantities, prior strike convictions, or possession of certain substances can still result in felony charges. Possession for sale is always a felony. Read more: is drug possession a felony in California?

Can drug possession charges be dropped in California?

Yes. Drug possession charges can be dropped or reduced through several pathways: if the search that led to the discovery of the drugs was illegal, if the evidence was mishandled, if the prosecution lacks sufficient proof, or if the defendant qualifies for a diversion program. An experienced drug crime lawyer can evaluate which of these options applies to your case.

What happens if police found drugs during an illegal search?

Evidence obtained through an illegal search can be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule. If the drugs were the only evidence against you and they are suppressed, the prosecution often cannot proceed. This is one of the most effective defenses in drug cases and is worth evaluating with an attorney immediately after your arrest.

Are there alternatives to jail for drug charges in California?

Yes. California offers multiple diversion and treatment alternatives, including PC 1000 pretrial diversion for first-time possession offenders, Proposition 36 drug treatment programs, and mental health diversion under PC 1001.36 for defendants with qualifying mental health conditions. Successful completion of these programs typically results in the charges being dismissed.

What is the difference between a state and federal drug charge?

State drug charges are prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney in California courts. Federal drug charges are brought by U.S. attorneys in federal court and typically carry mandatory minimum sentences. Federal cases usually involve larger quantities, interstate transport, or the involvement of federal agencies like the DEA. Federal convictions generally result in far harsher sentences than equivalent state convictions.

Contact a Drug Crime Lawyer in North Hollywood

Drug charges in California move fast. The decisions you make in the hours and days after an arrest — whether to speak to police, whether to accept a plea deal, whether to go to court without a lawyer — can permanently affect the outcome of your case.

Our drug crime attorneys represent clients in North Hollywood, Burbank, Van Nuys, Studio City, and throughout Los Angeles County. We offer free, confidential consultations for all new clients. Call Wegman & Levin APC today at 818-495-8330 or contact us online to speak with an experienced drug charges lawyer about your case.