Drug Crime Lawyers in North Hollywood

While California is considered relatively lenient towards drugs by comparison to certain other states across the country, those found guilty of violating California’s drug laws or federal drug laws may still face life-altering consequences.

Los Angeles County aggressively prosecutes drug crimes, with police and law enforcement focused on bringing drug-related criminal activity down with the hopes of saving lives from violent acts, drug abuse, and the harm that could befall a person if they used a substance that was laced with something deadly.

Additionally, Los Angeles law enforcement will operate with federal agencies when drug cases across state lines and jurisdictional boundaries begin to blur. When placed under arrest for a drug offense, the defendant must understand their legal rights in hopes of avoiding time in county jail or state prison.

Our law firm has extensive experience representing clients accused of drug crimes in both state and federal courts. As your legal representatives, we will gather all the supporting evidence in your case, seek the testimony of expert witnesses, look for inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, and consider all other options to help you arrive at the most favorable outcome possible.

Before you plead guilty to your drug charges, consider the possibility of building a strong legal defense with the help of our drug crime attorneys. We offer every client who seeks our services our commitment to excellence, and we treat every individual with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Although we may be a smaller law firm than some of our competitors, we believe that is a strength, not a weakness. With a smaller legal team and a more focused objective, we can dedicate more time to each client, ensuring that you feel confident in our transparency, communication, and the trajectory of your case.

To learn more about the benefits of retaining the legal services of our criminal defense attorneys, please contact our office to schedule your free initial consultation with our team today.

How to Better Understand Your Drug Offense Charges

The nature of the drug crime charges against you and the penalties you may face depend on the types of drugs involved, the quantities, and whether the drugs were for personal use or distribution. Wegman & Levin’s experienced drug crime lawyers have extensive experience with various cases and can provide guidance on the different criminal charges and penalties associated with them.

For example, crimes involving Schedule I drugs like opioids, cocaine, and mescaline carry the most serious penalties, with harsher sentences for higher quantities. Manufacturing or selling any of these drugs will likely result in a felony.

On the other hand, recent legislation has made simple possession of any scheduled drug under California law a misdemeanor.

When you’re charged with any drug-related crime in California, understanding the nature and specifics of your charge is paramount. This knowledge, combined with the expertise of a drug charges attorney, can pave the way for a robust defense strategy, optimizing your chances for a positive outcome.

What Types of Drug Cases Do Our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyers Represent?

California’s complex legal landscape encompasses a broad spectrum of drug-related charges. Here’s a closer look:

Drug possession: This is one of the most common drug offenses. Simply having a controlled substance on your person or within your property can lead to a possession charge. Having a skilled drug charge lawyer can be pivotal in challenging evidence or arguing for reduced penalties
Trafficking: Drug trafficking charges often involve the movement or sale of large quantities of drugs. The stakes are high, and penalties can be severe, making the assistance of an experienced drug charges attorney essential
Drug manufacturing: If you’re found producing illegal substances, you could face a manufacturing charge. The process, equipment, and even precursor chemicals can be evidence in these cases. Engaging with a drug charges lawyer can help dissect the evidence and strategize a defense
Possession with Intent to Distribute: This charge goes beyond mere possession. Authorities believe not only did you possess the drug, but you also had plans to sell or distribute it. The line between personal use and intent to distribute can be thin, so having a drug charges attorney can make a significant difference in how your case is argued
Prescription Drug Offenses: With the rise of prescription drug misuse, drug crime charges related to unauthorized possession, sale, or fraudulent acquisition of prescription drugs are increasing. It’s vital to have a drug charges lawyer who understands the nuances of such cases

Other examples of drug crimes we represent may include the following: driving under the influence of marijuana, representation for criminal defendants who do not qualify under Proposition 47, unlicensed sales of marijuana, prescription drug fraud, selling drugs near a school zone, soliciting drugs to minors, the sale of synthetic marijuana, drug entrapment, and more.

What Are the Different Drug Schedules?

California law classifies drugs into different categories according to the DEA Schedules system. The classification of a controlled substance plays a critical role in how severe the consequences could be if the defendant is convicted, and may also indicate how aggressive the prosecutors will be in the courtroom.

Schedule V drugs, chemicals, and substances are those that are believed to have a lower potential for abuse. These drugs include cough medications with less than 200 milligrams of codeine.
Schedule IV drugs are those with a low potential for abuse or a low risk of dependence. Examples of Schedule IV drugs include Valium, Ambien, Xanax, Darvocet, and Tramadol.
Schedule III drugs, chemicals, and substances are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for psychological or physical drug dependence. Examples of Schedule III drugs include anabolic steroids, ketamine, testosterone, and substances containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit.
Schedule II drugs are believed to have a high potential for abuse, with drug use potentially leading to severe dependence and potential psychological damage. Drugs classified under Schedule II are considered very dangerous by both state and federal laws. Examples of Schedule II drugs include Adderall, Ritalin, fentanyl, oxycodone, Demerol, methadone, cocaine, and Vicodin.
Schedule I drugs are controlled substances that are believed to have no currently accepted medical use. These drugs have a high potential for abuse and can cause great harm to the user. Examples of Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, peyote, and marijuana (also known as cannabis or weed).

What Are the Key Differences Between State and Federal Drug Offenses?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, your drug charges may fall under state or federal criminal laws, and it’s important to understand the differences.

Typically, federal drug charges are for those involving large quantities, the use of deadly weapons, those involving money laundering schemes, and the transport of drugs across borders. Federal drug cases typically carry harsher penalties for the convicted defendants.

When charged with a state drug crime, the prosecution will be handled by local authorities in California State courts. If accused of violating a federal drug law, the case will be handled by United States attorneys in federal courts.

Most drug cases involving simple possession or small-scale sales will be state drug cases. When there are larger quantities of controlled substances, these substances are trafficked across state lines, weapons are involved, or the DEA gets involved, it will typically become a federal drug case.

If the defendant is found guilty in a state drug case, the penalties are usually less severe and can include drug diversion programs, jail time in a county jail, and the possibility of probation. Sentencing in federal drug crime cases is typically more severe, with lengthy prison sentences, costly fines, and some mandatory minimum sentencing.

To learn more about the various distinctions between state and federal drug crime cases, please contact our law firm to request a free case review today.

Why Do You Need the Legal Representation of a Drug Charges Defense Lawyer for Your Criminal Case?

The impact of a drug crime conviction can extend far beyond immediate legal penalties. Certain rights, such as voting or firearm possession, might be jeopardized with a drug conviction. More far-reaching consequences could also affect you for years to come, including an impact on your custody rights. It may also impact your career prospects, housing options, or access to educational opportunities.

The importance of having a knowledgeable drug charges defense lawyer to safeguard your interests and potentially mitigate these consequences cannot be overstated.

What Legal Defense Strategies Could Be Utilized to Fight for Your Future?

At Wegman & Levin, we take pride in adopting a multifaceted approach to defending our clients.

Strategies we might use include:

Challenging the legitimacy of searches or seizures
Evaluating the reliability of informants or witnesses
Inspecting the collection and analysis of drug evidence
Exploring alternatives like rehabilitation programs or other sentencing avenues

Our drug charges attorney team understands the intricacies of drug offense law in Southern California. We specialize in devising tailored defense strategies for individual cases.

Why Hire Our North Hollywood Drug Charges Lawyers for Your Illegal Drug Case?

In the domain of drug related offenses, premium legal representation is non-negotiable. With over 65 years of experience, the drug charges team at Wegman & Levin has guided countless Southern California clients through the legal process.

Even a drug conviction for a relatively minor offense, such as simple possession, can still create a permanent criminal record for the defendant. With a criminal history, the consequences of your conviction will extend far beyond the legal penalties, and you could face difficulties in professional, social, personal, educational, and housing matters.

We will bring all our knowledge and experience to the fore as your legal representation, utilizing various strategies and exploring all options to help you see your charges reduced or potentially dismissed. Our legal team has a proven track record of success with glowing reviews from past clients and a strong reputation in the legal community.

We pride ourselves on thinking outside the box and coming up with unique solutions to help our clients when they are facing complex charges. We have a history of achieving favorable outcomes in cases that other law firms may have deemed unwinnable.

Contact Our Southern California Drug Charges Lawyers

Drug crimes are aggressively prosecuted across the country, and California is no different. Individuals accused of committing a criminal offense involving illegal or controlled substances must seek professional legal advice from experienced attorneys well-versed in these practice areas.

Our law firm has decades of combined legal experience representing clients in various criminal law practice areas, including drug offenses, making us uniquely qualified to represent your rights and defend your interests.

If you are facing drug offense charges in North Hollywood, Burbank, Los Angeles County, or Southern California, call today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of the knowledgeable drug offense attorneys at Wegman & Levin APC.