Drug Charges Lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Whatever drug accusations you're facing in Santa Fe Springs, CA, it's not an easy thing to handle. Everything from manufacturing to simple possession can send you to jail. These laws regulate substances from methamphetamine to fentanyl. But they all share one thing in common: Major legal consequences.
You need representation that will fight for your freedom. You need Santa Fe Springs, CA's premier criminal defense law firm on your side. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Santa Fe Springs drug charges lawyers are avaialble 24/7 to help you. We will give you honest advice, discuss defense tactics, and represent you all the way through trial. To begin fighting the charges, contact our attorneys at (800) 755-5174 or use our contact form today.
Santa Fe Springs, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
In this article, you can learn about how a Santa Fe Springs, CA, drug defense attorney will protect your rights, different types of charges you might face, the key factors you want your defense team to have, strategies we may use in your case, and more.
If you want to read about a particular topic, click on the appropriate link below to jump ahead and learn more:
- Why You Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, CA, NOW
- Common Drug Types and Possible Penalties
- Categories of Drug Crime Allegations in Santa Fe Springs, CA
- Intersections Between Drugs and DUIs in Santa Fe Springs
- Top Drug Defense Attorney Qualities
- Types of Defenses We Build Against Drug Allegations
- Santa Fe Springs, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options
- Immigration Consequences of a Drug Conviction
- Drug Charge FAQs
- Get in Touch With a Drug Charges Lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, CA, Today
- Every Drug Charge Our Team Will Defend Against
Don't Waste Time: Contact a Santa Fe Springs, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer RIGHT AWAY
Drug charges in Santa Fe Springs, CA, always need to be taken seriously. Two people who committed similar acts can face very different charges, meaning you're risking an extended stay in jail.
The first reason you should contact a drug charges lawyer right away is to give you an understanding of the accusations. A simple possession case needs a different strategy than a possession-for-sale case, and your drug defense attorney should have strategies to fight your particular charges.
The second reason to contact a local Santa Fe Springs, CA, drug charges lawyer early in the defense process is to lower your chances of doing something you shouldn't. When you say the wrong thing to a state representative, the charges could be elevated and the state's case strengthened. Your defense attorney can help you talk to police the right way, instead of incriminating yourself.
Lastly, your drug charges lawyer will open doors for new strategies through plea negotiations. Early intervention lets us build a defense before the prosecution has completed its case, and in many cases, we can file a motion to dismiss charges if we act early enough.
Common Drug Types in Santa Fe Springs, CA, Legal Cases:
When picking a Santa Fe Springs, CA, drug charges lawyer, you should go with an attorney who can defend charges related to the specific kind of drug in the allegations. In the following section, we've outlined some of the most common substances that are the center of illegal drug cases in the state.
| 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. Use can cause both mood and psychedelic effects. |
| 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 | 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 | An extremely dangerous type of opioid — roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the DEA. |
Potential legal consequences vary significantly based on the type of drug, how much there was, any prior convictions, and the accusation you're facing. For some typical accusations:
- Simple possession of most controlled substances is typically charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail, though certain substances and circumstances can elevate this.
- Possession for sale, sale, transport, or manufacturing are rarely treated as misdemeanors. They're often felonies, and the sentence can change based on the specific drug and quantity involved.
- Fentanyl is treated extra seriously: 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.
There's no simple method to tell what kind of sentence you're facing based on your charges. Our drug defense attorneys can help — call our office for a free case review and we'll walk you through what you're actually facing.
Marijuana in Santa Fe Springs, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a mind-altering substance derived from a plant leaf. California used to outlaw the use of marijuana, however, in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, letting people use it recreationally.
Because it has been legalized for recreational use, marijuana (AKA cannabis) charges in Santa Fe Springs, CA, most often often revolve around who was using it and whether that person was exceeding legal limits. As an example, driving with an open package of marijuana is illegal, even if you are sober.
Marijuana Legal Overview:
- Legal in limited quantities for adults 21 and older
- In most cases, it is legal to grow up to six marijuana plants
- Still illegal to use or possess under federal law.
How Your Santa Fe Springs, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you've been accused of marijuana-related charges, our attorneys are ready for your case. For example, we can show the legality of your ownership, argue that you remained within legal limitations, and/or show that it was properly handled at all times.
Charges a Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer Will Fight in Santa Fe Springs, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you against drug charges in Santa Fe Springs, CA. We help defendants fight against all kinds of drug crime allegations. 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
The most common drug charges in Santa Fe Springs, 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 Santa Fe Springs, CA, drug charges lawyer can build defenses that cast doubt on whether or not the drugs were in your possession, and can be by your side every step of the way.
Relevant statutes: Simple possession of most hard drugs falls under Health and Safety Code 11350, while possession of methamphetamine has its own specific statute in HS 11377. In most cases, the prosecution will choose to treat these as misdemeanors, limiting the potential sentence to one year in jail.
Drug Production/Transport/Distribution Charges
Accusations of drug production, transportation, and distribution take on the other side of a drug deal: The alleged 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 charges are almost always treated more harshly than possession/use charges. 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 Santa Fe Springs, CA, are HS 11351 (for most substances) and HS 11378 (specifically for methamphetamine). As a straight felony, 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. If convicted, you are looking at an even harsher sentence — up to nine years if the transportation crosses non-contiguous counties. Unlike simple possession, these charges are generally not eligible for PC 1000 or Prop 36 treatment diversion unless your attorney can negotiate the charge down to simple possession.
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, you first need to face a different criminal charge.
It's even more important to hire an experienced Santa Fe Springs, 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. The difference 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.
It's hard to think of many charges worse to face than this. And you need a an experienced criminal defense lawyer with the resources to match the federal prosecutor. Our team of attorneys will learn your side of the story, research applicable laws, dissect the case against you, and do whatever we can to secure a positive outcome for your case.
The Intersection Between Drug Charges and DUIs in Santa Fe Springs, CA
DUIs and drug charges don't always go together in Santa Fe Springs, CA, but when they do, these cases can be particularly tricky to fight. Drug DUI defense cases can include a many different situations, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by prescribed medication. 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 alcoholwhich has a legal limit).
When accused of drug DUI charges, you need more than a drug charges lawyer. You also need a leading Santa Fe Springs, CA, DUI defense lawyer who defend you both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. But you need to act fast — in most cases, you need to request a hearing within ten days of your arrest.
What to Look For in a Drug Charges Lawyer
If you're looking for a drug charges lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, CA, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one to 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 allegations defense attorney:
- Prior Experience defending clients in your situation
- Personal Experience as a prosecutor
- Relationships with prosecutors and judges in your jurisdiction
- A Track Record of Positive Outcomes against the state for these charges
- Availability Anytime because emergencies don't always happen in business hours
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we embody each of these qualities. We have over five decades of combined legal experience, including former prosecutors. We offer legal services throughout California. And we have delivered positive results for Californians.
We will always be honest with you about the state of your case, and you can call us 24/7 if you need anything from our offices.
Ways Our Lawyers Defend Against Drug Charges
The statute you violated may not be unique, but your case is. Everyone in the Santa Fe Springs, CA, criminal courts is there under different circumstances, and you should have a unique defense strategy to protect you.
We'll listen to your story and craft a powerful defense to fit. Below are some strong 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: 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.
- Somone Else's Drugs: If the substance in question was, in fact, illegal, but belonged to another person, you shouldn't face possession charges.
- Entrapment: In rare cases, if an undercover police officer coerced you into buying or using illicit drugs, you may be exempt from a conviction.
- Prescription: These defenses hinge on your medical status, and if a doctor prescribed you a given substance.
- Plea Negotiations: Plea negotiations not only reduce the level of charges you're facing, but can also open up diversion avenues.
If you need a drug crimes defense attorney in Santa Fe Springs, CA, get in touch with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley for immediate help.
Santa Fe Springs, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Santa Fe Springs has diversion and treatment options available — be sure to ask your Santa Fe Springs, 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. It generally involves drug education classes, sobriety requirements, and regular drug testing. The advantage of PC 1000 is that you don't end up with a conviction on your record — after completing the program, the case against you is dismissed. This prevents you from going through many of a conviction's collateral consequences.
Proposition 36 (2024)
Proposition 36 is another diversion program, designed to help people accused of repeat drug offenses. It was passed in 2024, and is distinct from a previous version of Proposition 36 passed in 2000. It approach drug offense diversion from a unique angle.
Under the 2024 rules, 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, you avoid a conviction; you can opt to refuse treatment, but you'll be up against the underlying felony charge, including up to three years in custody. The law also increased potential penalties for large quantities of certain substances and updated firearm-related enhancement laws to include fentanyl on the list of relevant substances.
Your Santa Fe Springs, CA, drug charges lawyer can help you understand whether you qualify for treatment options, help you decide what route to take, and stand by your side no matter which route you take.
Drug Convictions' Impact on Immigration Status
For immigrants in Santa Fe Springs, CA, a drug conviction can be far more damaging than the criminal penalty alone — 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: marijuana charges for no more than 30 grams of the substance, and only intended it for person use, not sale. This can affect 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 the majority of drugs) is normally a deportable offense, but is not automatically classified as an "aggravated felony" — meaning that you likely won't lose access to certain modes 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 has a constitutional duty to advise a client of these immigration consequences before a plea is entered. An attorney who understands both sides can negotiate a resolution — such as a plea deal to another, non-drug charge, 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, you need to get expert help as soon as you're aware of an investigation. If you are an immigrant fighting a drug charge, 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 there isn't a criminal conviction, a background check can still show your 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. You are not required to answer any self-incriminating questions during an interrogation. 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 expunge a previous drug conviction in Santa Fe Springs, CA?
Many drug convictions can be expunged under Penal Code 1203.4 once probation is successfully completed, though whether or not you are eligible can be affected by the specific charge and your previous conviction 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 to work with an experienced drug crimes attorney who also practices immigration law.
What's the difference between PC 1000 and Proposition 36 diversion?
The main difference is in who can apply to each program: For PC 1000, first-time, low-level possession alleged offenders can get the charges dropped through a treatment and drug testing program. 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. To learn more about how to explore these paths, speak to an attorney today.
Is a first-time drug possession charge a felony in Santa Fe Springs, CA?
Simple possession of most controlled substances for personal use is typically a misdemeanor for first-time offenders. Possession with intent to sell, manufacturing, or trafficking charges are generally felonies regardless of prior record.
Get Help Now: Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley for a Drug Charges Lawyer in Santa Fe Springs, CA
These charges need to be treated seriously It's important to fight for a positive outcome, and it depends on working with the right defense team. Our team is ready to stand by your side.
The Santa Fe Springs, CA, drug charges lawyers at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley are known for delivering positive outcomes for clients. We defend all kinds of major criminal charges, including drug crime allegations. We explore every avenue to find the right path forward for our clients.
We also aid with the following legal services in Santa Fe Springs, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak to your Santa Fe Springs drug crimes defense attorney now at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online to set up a confidential review of your case.
Drug Charges Our Lawyers Fight in Santa Fe Springs, CA:
- 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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