Drug Charges Lawyer in Reseda, CA. Drug crimes in Reseda, CA, come in many forms. Everything from manufacturing to simple possession can send you to jail. These laws cover substances from marijuana to opioids. The fallout from a drug crime conviction can turn your world upside down.
Get help before it's too late. You need Reseda, CA's premier criminal defense lawyer defending your rights. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Reseda drug charges lawyers are avaialble 24/7 to help you. We will give you honest advice, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and represent you all the way through trial. To begin building your defense, call our lawyers at (800) 755-5174 or set up a free, confidential consultation now.
Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, you can read about what a Reseda, CA, drug charges attorney can do to defend you, categories of drug crime allegations in Reseda, the key factors you want your defense team to have, strategies we may use in your case, and more.
To focus on a specific topic, click on the appropriate link in the following menu to navigate to a specific topic and learn more:
- What Your Reseda, CA, Drug Crimes Lawyer Will Do For You
- Reseda, CA, Drug Types and Their 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
- Strong Defense Strategies Our Attorneys Use in Drug Cases
- Reseda, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options
- Impact of Drug Crime Convictions on Non-U.S. Citizens
- Drug Charge FAQs
- Get in Touch With a Drug Charges Lawyer in Reseda, CA, Today
- Every Drug Charge Our Team Will Fight Against
Get Help From a Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer IMMEDIATELY
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Reseda, CA, it's a big deal, no matter what. The same action can be interpreted by the state in multiple ways, meaning you can always face years in prison.
The first reason you should contact a drug charges lawyer without hesitation is to explain the charges. A simple possession case needs a different strategy than a drug trafficking case, and your drug defense attorney should have strategies to fight your particular charges.
The second reason to get in touch with a local Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer first thing in your case is to lower your chances of doing something you shouldn't. If you say something incorrect in an interrogation, the charges could be elevated and the state's case strengthened. A drug charges lawyer can stop you from experiencing self-incrimination.
Additionally, your drug charges attorney will open doors for new strategies through plea negotiations. Connecting with a lawyer early gives you a head start against the state, and in many cases, we can file a motion to dismiss charges if the evidence is in your favor.
Common Drug Types in Reseda, CA, Legal Cases:
When picking a Reseda, 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 substances against which we have practice defending related charges.
| Drug Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | These include substances like Xanax or Adderall, which aren't supposed to be taken without a doctor's authorization. |
| Ecstacy | Also known as MDMA, Molly, and E. A stimulant often used at parties. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive drug which can cause intense effects It is taken in a variety of ways. |
| Methamphetamine | A man-made drug that temporarily boosts energy, while harming the body. |
| Opioids | A category of addictive painkillers. These include morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. |
| Heroin | A highly refined type of opioid. 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 by substance, how much there was, your criminal record, and the accusation you're facing. As a general framework:
- Most of the time, if you're only accused of possession and not distributing a drug, the charge will only be a misdemeanor, with a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Different prosecutors may treat some substances in a harsher manner, though.
- Possession for sale, sale, transport, or manufacturing are typically charged as felonies, and the sentence can change based on the specific substance and amount involved.
- Fentanyl cases are particularly harsh: Proposition 36 (2024) created a list of drugs, including fentanyl, which can trigger felony enhancement if possessed along with a loaded firearm.
- 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 evaluation and we'll walk you through what you're actually facing.
Marijuana in Reseda, 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, legalizing its recreational use.
Since it has been legalized for recreational use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) cases in Reseda, CA, most often often revolve around who was using it and whether that person was exceeding legal limits. As an example, you're allowed to grow a small number of plants for personal use, but they must be kept in a private, secure area.
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
- Federal law still makes marijuana usage illegal.
How Your Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you've been accused of marijuana-related charges, our attorneys will fight to defend you. For example, we can demonstrate that you had the legal right to possess marijuana, demonstrate that you did not exceed state limits, and/or show off the proper regulatory procedures which you adhered to.
Different Types of Drug Charges in Reseda, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of 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. They cover a wide range of substances 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 help by arguing that the drugs were not actually yours, and can be by your side every step of the way.
Relevant statutes: If you're accused of simple possession of a hard drug, you're liking facing charges for allegedly violating Health and Safety Code 11350, while possession of methamphetamine has its own specific statute in 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
While drug possession and use charges target the buyer, drug production, transportation, and distribution charges target the 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
These allegations are almost always considered more serious than possession. A positive outcome in these cases is often taking a plea deal for a lesser charge. Your drug crimes defense attorney can help you negotiate a favorable deal.
Relevant statutes: The two main possession for sale charges you will see in Reseda, CA, are HS 11351 (for most substances) and HS 11378 (specifically for methamphetamine). For these felony charges, each is punishable by two, three, or four years in state prison and fines up to $20,000. HS 11352 converse sale or transportaiont charges for most substances, while HS 11379 does the same for methamphetamine. These charges carry longer exposure — 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 may seem very different, but they share one common attribute: They don't stand 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 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 isn't a 'category' in the same way that the above types of charges are. The distinction is that you're fighting against the federal government instead of the local Reseda prosecutor.
These can include anything from production to transportation to drug smuggling, but most often will involve large quantities and/or crossing state lines. Sentences are often more severe, 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 a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who's prepared to fight the United States government. Our team of attorneys will protect your rights, look for legal loopholes, challenge evidence, and do whatever we can to secure a favorable result for your case.
The Intersection Between Drug Charges and DUIs in Reseda, CA
DUIs and drug charges don't always go together in Reseda, CA, but when they do, these cases can be particularly tricky to fight. Drug DUI defense cases cover a many different situations, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to driving after taking certain medications. One aspect that sets these cases apart is that you can be arrested 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 need more than a drug charges lawyer. You also need a leading Reseda, CA, DUI defense lawyer who will fight your case 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.
Qualities in a Good Drug Charges Defense Lawyer
When picking a drug charges lawyer in Reseda, CA, to take your case, it can be a challenge trying to decide who will best represent you. With so much at stake, you don't want to make the wrong choice.
Here are the top factors you want to look for in your drug crimes defense attorney:
- Vast Experience defending clients in your situation
- Intimate Knowledge of how the state builds its case against you
- Existing Relationships at the courts in your local county
- A Reputation of Delivering Victories against the state for these charges
- Availability Anytime in case an emergency occurs and you need help
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 delivered positive results for Californians.
We don't make false promises about your case, and you can call us 24/7 if you need anything from our offices.
Ways Our Lawyers Defend 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 unique defense plan to protect you.
While we use some common base strategies, we'll build your defense out to fit your unique circumstances. Below are some of the possible 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: In some cases, you can't be convicted if you broke the law on accident. For example, if police found illegal drugs in your car, but they weren't yours, and you weren't aware of them, you didn't transport them, legally speaking.
- Somone Else's Drugs: This defense can be used if there were, in fact, drugs present, but you had no control or ownership over them.
- Entrapment: In some cases, if an undercover law enforcement agent coerced you into breaking a drug law, you may be exempt from a conviction.
- 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: Plea negotiations not only reduce the level of charges you're facing, but can also open up diversion avenues.
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Reseda, CA, get in touch with our firm now.
Reseda, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Reseda has diversion and treatment options available, which your Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer can try to utilize in your case. To qualify, defendants must fit certain criteria. Below are two of the most relevant programs:
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, requirements to stay sober, 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 prevents you from going through 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 takes a different approach than a typical diversion program.
Under the modern version, individuals with two or more prior drug convictions can now be charged with a "treatment-mandated felony" for offenses that might otherwise have been charged as misdemeanors. While this doesn't automatically keep people out of jail, it creates a choice: complete court-mandated treatment, you avoid a conviction; you can opt to refuse treatment, but you'll be up against the underlying felony charge, and risking up to three years behind bars. The law also increased potential penalties for large quantities of certain substances and added fentanyl to the list of drugs that trigger firearm-related enhancements.
Your Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyer is here to help you understand the charges, 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 not a U.S. citizen, 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.
The federal government can initiate removal proceedings for most drug convictions, with a sole exception: a simple possession charge with 30 grams or less of marijuana (not for distribution). This applies to lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) as well as visa holders, and it applies regardless of whether the state court sentence includes any jail time.
Important factors to be aware of:
- Simple possession for personal use (for most substances) is ordinarilly grounds for deportation, 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 not treated as lightly. They are typically classified as 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 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 may preserve a client's ability to stay in the country.
Because immigration consequences are triggered by conviction, not just sentence, you need to get expert help as soon as you're aware of an investigation. If you are a non-citizen up against a drug case, tell your attorney immediately — they should take immigration factors into account when working on your case.
Drug Charge Frequently Asked Questions
If I'm not found guilty, do drug charges appear on a background check?
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 eligible to have the arrest sealed or the record cleared — ask your attorney what applies to your specific case.
If the police catch me with drugs in my possession, do I have to answer their questions?
No. The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent during questioning. Politely but firmly refuse to answer any questions outside of providing your identity, and request counsel immediately — 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?
The answer depends on the specific charge and your sentence. Penal Code 1203.4 allows for expungement in many cases after completing probation, though this can be affected based on the charge you were convicted of, and any previous convictions. The conviction can still potentially be used as grounds for deportation, though, 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?
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 applies to repeat offenders facing a treatment-mandated felony and requires completing a court-supervised treatment program to avoid the felony consequences. Which one applies depends on your charge and criminal history.
If I don't have a record, will my drug possession charge be a felony in Reseda, CA?
Simple possession of most controlled substances for personal use is typically a misdemeanor for first-time offenders. Distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking charges are different, though: These are normally treated as felonies, even for a first-time offender.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley Is Ready to Be Your Reseda, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer
You need help from experts in defending against drug charges Your freedom is important, and it depends on working with the right defense attorney. We are ready to take your case.
The Reseda, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley have experience defending against countless drug crime accusations. We defend all kinds of major criminal charges, including drug crime allegations. 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:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Talk to your Reseda drug defense attorney right away at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online for 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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