Jail or Prison Time
Drug crimes are among some of the most commonly prosecuted crimes in both California and in federal courts. The penalties for these crimes range from probation and a fine to many years in prison, depending on the charge and your ability to defend it. An experienced drug charges lawyer is an important part of your legal defense, providing knowledge and experience that is focused on protecting your rights and preventing the most severe consequences.
Drug charges in California vary in severity according to the “schedule” of drugs involved in the alleged crime. A drug’s “schedule” refers to its risk of dependency, with Schedule I offenses being considered the most severe.
California has a number of laws pertaining to the sale and possession of illegal drugs, and there are many potential charges that can come into play during this type of case. Here is a look at some drug charges that defendants in California courts commonly face:
The penalties for drug crimes in Riverside not only vary based on the schedule of the drug involved, but also other factors such as the amount of drug involved and the previous criminal history of the defendant. Those who have been convicted of drug crimes before can expect more severe consequences for a second or subsequent drug conviction. Some possible penalties include:
Do note that this is just a small list of possible penalties for Riverside drug crimes. In reality, there are many possible charges, and a number of factors that impact the severity of the consequences received upon conviction.
Alejandro handled my criminal case. I was looking at a lot of time and he fought for me for over a year and a half and got me the best possible outcome. He was always honest and upfront about everything. Even after my criminal case was over he would still check on me just to see how I was doing. ( still does ) He was an absolute godsend and always encouraged me to not give up and keep going. Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer.
Often, people do not believe that they need a lawyer if they are only facing a misdemeanor charge. Unfortunately, this is not true. Even misdemeanors can result in fines, jail time, and some can appear on your permanent record. Hiring a lawyer as soon as you have been arrested on suspicion of a Riverside drug crime because it allows your attorney the best opportunity to:
If you have been accused of a drug crime, our experienced Riverside drug charges lawyer can help you understand your options. Contact us for a consultation to learn more about the services we can provide to assist with your legal defense.
The accused is taken into custody. Police will ask basic discovery questions like name and address to identify a person, then pivot to more specific questions related to the incident.
You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court.
The police will take you in for booking — Police will fingerprint you and get and updated photograph for their records. After, you’ll be given a chance to contact your criminal defense lawyer.
The arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you’re going to plea. If you plead guilty, the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, your attorney will prepare for trial.
In the discovery stage, you’ll get to see exactly what evidence the prosecution has against you. This is when your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be and strengthen your defense.
Accepting the plea bargain is the last chance to plead guilty before the trial. Reduced charges may be presented to quickly settle the case and avoid trial.
The prosecutor presents the case to the jury. Any evidence or witness statements are shared at at this time. Afterward, it’s your lawyers turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. The jury will make a final verdict.
At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you were found guilty of. Decisions are based on the advised penalties for the specific charges in question.
Jail or Prison Time
Substantial Fines
Lengthy Probation
License Suspension
Mandatory Education
Some of the types of drug crimes in California include:
Drug charges can make your life a lot more difficult, with impacts that include:
The officials of California take drug charges very seriously, making them the most common reason for prosecution in state and federal courts. If convicted of felony charges, you can face heavy fines, incarceration, difficulty obtaining services and employment in the future, and a loss of other freedoms.
The district attorney is building their case against you right now. The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?