Drug Sales Defense Lawyer in Santa Clarita

Protecting Your Freedoms and Dignity

In January 2022, California eliminated minimum mandatory jail and prison sentences for a number of drug crimes. While the state is gradually becoming more lenient, drug crimes are still a serious offense, particularly those involving sales, distribution, or trafficking. Luckily, having qualified legal representation can improve your chances for a favorable outcome.

The attorney at Lias Law Firm is compassionate and highly experienced when it comes to litigating crimes involving drug sales. If you have questions about your case, do not hesitate to reach out today.

We are standing by to answer any questions that you may have about your case. Please give us a call at (661) 529-7011 today.

Potential Consequences of Drug Sales in California

Only a few short years ago, cannabis was considered illegal; however, now we see it as a staple of Californian subcultures and consider it an integral part of our economy. Given the changing legal attitudes towards drugs, it can hard to keep track of what is and is not considered a controlled substance in California.

California currently considers the following controlled substances:

• Heroin
• Ecstasy and MDMA
• Opiates
• Cocaine
• Hallucinogenic drugs like LSD and “mushrooms”
• Prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Morphine, Codeine, etc.

Possession for sale of narcotics is a very serious crime in California. Simple possession of a controlled substance is typically a misdemeanor; however, possession for sale of a controlled substance is alwayscharged as a felony. Further, a felony conviction constitutes a “strike” in California’s three-strike system, meaning that your sentence could change dramatically depending on how many strikes you already have on your legal record.

Being convicted of felony possession for sale of a controlled substance in California could mean one of the following:

• Two to four years’ incarceration
• A year in jail and probation
• A fine of up to $20,000
• Potential deportation of noncitizens

Furthermore, additional penalties can be added to your sentence depending on the nature of the conviction and the drugs involved. For example, years of prison time could be added to your sentence if you are carrying a large amount of cocaine.

Because the range of consequences for possession for sale of a controlled substance in California is so wide, it is important to make sure that you are represented by an experienced lawyer that is duly familiar with the nuances of the law as it applies to the sale of drugs. Our drug sales defense attorney in Santa Clarita is committed to providing reliable, comprehensive, and qualified legal representation to people charged with crimes relating to drug sales.

Defending Your Case

Depending on the specifics of your case, we are capable of deploying a range of legal defenses. Moreover, proving intent to sell is more difficult than many people realize. For example, the prosecution must prove that any controlled substances involved in your case were, in fact, meant to be sold. Without explicit evidence of a sale, attempted or otherwise, the prosecution may decide not to pursue charges.

In many cases, the defense can argue that their client either was not aware that they were in possession of a controlled substance in the first place or that they were not legally in possession of any controlled substances for which they are being charged.

Another common defense is that any substances recovered were a result of an illegal search or seizure. If you were illegally detained, were searched without a warrant, or if a search exceeded the reasonable scope of a search warrant, you may have a case.