Drug Charges Lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA. There are a wide variety of drug laws you can be charged with breaking in Beverly Hills, CA. Possession of a controlled substance is bad enough, but it's even worse if you're charged with dealing or distributing drugs. These laws cover substances from cannabis to opioids. But they all share one thing in common: Major legal consequences.
Don't let these accusations derail your life. You need Beverly Hills, CA's premier criminal defense lawyer in your corner. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Beverly Hills drug charges lawyers are ready for your case today. We will give you honest advice, explain your best options, and fight for the best deal or other outcome in your case. To start fighting the charges, contact our attorneys at (800) 755-5174 or ask about a free case review online today.
Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
In this article, we will go over the importance of having a drug defense lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA, the types of substances considered illegal in Beverly Hills, the qualities your attorney should have, gameplans our attorneys use against drug accusations, and diversionary programs we can help you explore.
To learn about a specific topic, click on the appropriate link in the list below to skip ahead and learn more:
- What Your Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Crimes Lawyer Will Do For You
- Popular Drug Types and Potential Penalties
- Categories of Drug Charges in Beverly Hills, CA
- Intersections Between Drugs and DUIs in Beverly Hills
- 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
- Contact Your Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Attorney Now
- All the Drug Charges Our Attorneys Fight Against
Why You Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA, NOW
There's no such thing as a "minor" drug charge in Beverly Hills, CA. There can be leeway in what the prosecution decides to charge you with, meaning there's always a risk of felony consequences.
The first reason you need a drug charges lawyer immediately is to explain the charges. A simple possession case takes a different set of skills than a drug trafficking case, and your drug defense attorney should have strategies to defend against whatever you've been accused of.
The second reason to get in touch with a local Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer first thing in your case is to stop yourself from making a mistake. After a police interview without proper legal representation, the charges could be elevated and the state's case strengthened. A drug charges defense attorney can advise what to share and what not to share with the state.
On top of that, your drug charges lawyer will leverage local court relationships to explore different defense avenues. Connecting with a lawyer early lets us build a defense before the prosecution has completed its case, and can even give you a better chance of having the court dismiss charges if we act early enough.
Common Drug Types in Beverly Hills, CA, Legal Cases:
When deciding on a Beverly Hills, 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 most common substances that are the center of illegal drug cases in the state.
| Drug Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | Charges often revolve around having a technically legal drug without permission, or selling it to someone you aren't supposed to. |
| Ecstacy | A man-made psychoactive drug. Long term use may impair an individual's memory and learning abilities. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive stimulant which can cause intense effects Its use can harm the brain, as well as several other organs. |
| 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 | An extremely dangerous drug made by processing morphine. Courts and prosecutors often treat heroin charges harshly. |
| 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. |
Sentences vary significantly based on substance, how much there was, prior record, and the accusation you're facing. 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, with sentencing ranges that depend heavily on the specific substance and quantity involved.
- Fentanyl carries additional exposure: 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.
- Most of the time, federal drug charges result in harsher, longer sentences.
Because the numbers shift based on the specific facts of a case, the exact exposure you're facing should be evaluated by an attorney who can review your charge sheet and criminal history — call our office for a free case review and we'll walk you through what you're actually facing.
Marijuana in Beverly Hills, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a plant which is popularly smoked to get high. Smoking marijuana used to be illegal in California, but in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, letting people use it recreationally.
Since local laws allow for limited use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) accusations in Beverly Hills, CA, typically often revolve around who was using it and whether that person was exceeding legal limits. For example, driving with an open package of marijuana is illegal, even if you are sober.
Marijuana Legal Overview:
- Adults over the age of 21 can carry 28.5 grams of marijuana on their person
- In most cases, adults over 21 can grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use
- Federal law still makes marijuana usage illegal.
How Your Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you're up against marijuana-related charges, our attorneys can help. For example, we can show the legality of your ownership, show that you did not violate any regulations, and/or show off the proper regulatory procedures which you adhered to.
Different Types of Drug Charges in Beverly Hills, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are an experienced group of drug defense lawyers serving the Beverly Hills, CA, area. 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
Drug possession charges are some of the most basic in Beverly Hills, CA. 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 Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer can help by arguing that the drugs were not actually yours, and can advocate for diversionary programs to keep you out of jail.
Relevant statutes: Simple possession of most hard drugs falls under Health and Safety Code 11350, while possession of methamphetamine specifically falls under HS 11377. Generally, these possession charges are handled as misdemeanors.
Drug Production/Transport/Distribution Charges
Drug dealing allegations are treated much differently than drug possession. They are often given harsher sentences for allegedly making, transporting, and/or selling the substance.
- 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. On top of fighting the charges, your drug defense attorney can help you explore plea deals, if they make sense for your case.
Relevant statutes: The two main possession for sale charges you will see in Beverly Hills, CA, are HS 11351 (for most substances) and HS 11378 (specifically for 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 or transportation for sale is charged under HS 11352 (most substances) or HS 11379 (methamphetamine). If convicted, you are looking at an even harsher sentence — 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 can be very different from each other, but they share one common attribute: They don't exist on their own. In order to be charged with an enhancement, there has to be another criminal accusation.
It's even more important to hire an experienced Beverly Hills, 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 the federal government is prosecuting you instead of the state government.
These can include anything from production to transportation to running a drug ring, but most often 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 an experienced criminal defense lawyer who's prepared to match the federal prosecutor. Our team of attorneys will learn your side of the story, develop a strong defense strategy, challenge evidence, and do whatever we can to secure a positive result for you.
Beverly Hills, CA Drug Charges and DUIs
DUIs and drug charges don't always go together in Beverly Hills, CA, but when they do, these cases can be particularly tricky to fight. Drug DUI defense cases can include a several circumstances, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to driving after taking certain medications. Legal regulations often make these charges more serious than typical DUIs. For example, you can be arrested if there is any amount of THC in your system while driving (as opposed to alcohol).
When up against drug DUI charges, you need more than a drug charges lawyer. You also need a leading Beverly Hills, CA, DUI defense lawyer who defend you both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. Contact a lawyer right away — for most DUI cases, you need to request a hearing within ten days of your arrest.
What to Look For in a Drug Charges Lawyer
When you are considering your options for a drug charges lawyer in Beverly Hills, CA, it can be overwhelming trying to decide the right person to represent you. Your life may depend on it, after all.
Here are the top factors you want to look for in your drug defense attorney:
- Extensive Experience defending clients in your situation
- Personal Experience as a prosecutor
- Existing Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your local county
- A Track Record of Success versus the prosecution in drug cases
- Availability Anytime because emergencies don't always happen in business hours
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we can deliver on all of these needs. We have over five decades of combined legal experience, including working for the district attorney's office. We have a wide reach with relationships across the state of California. And we have a history of delivering positive outcomes for our clients.
You can trust us to always be upfront with your case, and you can talk to us 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.
Powerful Drug Crime Accusation Defenses
The statute you violated may not be unique, but your case is. The details are different for every criminal case in Beverly Hills, CA, and you should have a unique defense strategy to protect you.
While we use some common base strategies, we'll build your defense out to fit your unique circumstances. Here are some compelling strategies your drug charges lawyer will consider:
- Illegal Search and Seizure: This can suppress evidence that was unlawfully obtained.
- Lack of Intent: If you did hold or transport illegal drugs, but weren't aware of it, you shouldn't be found guilty because you didn't mean to break the law.
- Not Your Drugs: 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 some cases, if an undercover officer coerced you into buying or using illicit drugs, 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 Beverly Hills, CA, reach out to our firm for immediate help.
Beverly Hills, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Beverly Hills has diversion and treatment options available — be sure to ask your Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer about whether or not they apply to your case. To qualify, defendants must fit certain criteria. 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 protects you from many of a conviction's collateral consequences.
Proposition 36 (2024)
Proposition 36, as opposed to PC 1000, targets alleged offenders with an existing criminal record. It took its current form in 2024, and it approach drug offense diversion from a unique angle.
Under the modern version, 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); 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 heightened potential drug crime sentences, depending on the quantity and type of substance, and added fentanyl to the list of drugs that trigger firearm-related enhancements.
Your Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyer can help you understand whether you qualify for legal alternatives, help you decide what route to take, and stand by your side no matter which route you take.
Drug Convictions' Impact on Immigration Status
If you are a lawful permanent resident or are in Beverly Hills, CA, on a work visa, you might have to defend yourself against removal as well as criminal charges — and this is an area where our firm's dual criminal defense and immigration practice gives clients a real advantage.
Under federal immigration law, a conviction for almost any controlled substance offense can make a non-citizen deportable, with one specific exception: a simple possession charge with 30 grams or less of marijuana (not for distribution). This can impact 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 (for the majority of drugs) is ordinarilly 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 create barriers to appeals efforts.
- How a charge is pleaded matters enormously. Under Padilla v. Kentucky, defense counsel is required to inform you about these immigration implications prior to entering your plea. We will fight for an outcome — such as a plea to a non-drug offense, or a disposition that doesn't include specific "aggravated felony" language — that defends your legal status in the country, as well as your criminal record.
Because immigration consequences are triggered by conviction, not just sentence, 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 charge, tell your attorney immediately — this plays a major role in your case, and your lawyer should help you on both fronts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a drug charge show up on a background check even if the case is dismissed?
Even if there isn't a criminal conviction, a background check can still show your arrest. If you were able to take advantage of a diversion program like PC 1000 or Proposition 36, you may be eligible 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. Be respectful to the police, but do not provide any information besides your identity, and ask for a lawyer 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 Beverly Hills, CA?
If you were given probation, you may be eligible for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4, though eligibility depends on the specific charge and your 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 support from a lawyer who can handle both criminal and immigration defense.
What's the difference between PC 1000 and Proposition 36 diversion?
First-time, simple possession offenses can take advantage of PC 1000. This requires participation in an education program and regular drug testing, but can result in the dismissal of all charges. 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.
Does Beverly Hills, CA, prosecute drug possession charges as felonies?
For most first-time possession cases in Beverly Hills, CA, you'll only face a misdemeanor charge. 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 Beverly Hills, CA
These charges need to be treated seriously Your freedom is important, and it depends on partnering with the right lawyer. We are ready to take your case.
The Beverly Hills, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley have experience defending against countless drug crime accusations. We are prepared to defend you against a variety of drug charges, both misdemeanor and felony. We explore every avenue to find the right path forward for our clients.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Beverly Hills, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Contact your Beverly Hills drug charges lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or use our online contact form to set up a no-strings case evaluation.
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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