All criminal charges are serious and must be handled effectively, especially drug crimes. Being convicted can put you at risk of huge fines, lengthy jail sentences, and attach your name to a criminal record that will follow you around for years to come.
This is the case regardless of the type of drug that you have. For example, marijuana is recreationally legal in California, but you can still face punishment if you have too much of it. Let the Los Angeles possession lawyers at Gibbons & Gibbons help you fight for your freedom. You do not and should not have to handle these charges on your own.
California has its own system for classifying and penalizing drug crimes. Without a strong defense behind you, it can be difficult to fight your charges. Our team at Gibbons & Gibbons has been in the defense field for over 60 years. We understand the hard work it takes to fight for your rights, and we are committed to giving it 100 percent.
When you work with our team at Gibbons & Gibbons, we treat you and your family with the utmost respect. Although your situation may be challenging, you can rely on our team to provide honest, reliable information.
This allows you to make knowledgeable decisions about your case. Every situation is different, but we are confident that our lengthy experience in this field can be an advantage to you throughout your drug possession case.
Call (562) 802-3602 now or contact Gibbons & Gibbons online to schedule your free consultation and begin working toward a strong defense.
In California, there are two overarching categories for possession crimes: simple possession and possession with the intent to sell. The compounds used to make drugs, as well as the drugs themselves, are all considered illegal substances.
After determining the category of your crime, the court will then classify the offense as an infraction, misdemeanor, or a felony. Because there are varying groups of drugs based on their potential for abuse, possession charges can all be penalized differently.
Penalties for drug possession can include:
Your sentence could also be increased depending on other factors, such as if the defendant was under 18 years of age and if the crime was committed on school property. While you may feel hopeless about your situation, you have an advocate on your side.
Although criminal defendants have access to public defenders, it is unwise to use this resource if you do not have to. Public defenders are often overworked and lack the time and attention to properly build each case. Hiring a private defense attorney ensures that your representative has the time and resources to properly build your case.
With decades of experience and thousands of cases handled, our team has built a reputation for outstanding representation when it counts. Our priority will be to cast doubt on the suspicions raised by your prosecutors and law enforcement. In some cases, working with them can help us get evidence dismissed from your case. It may also be possible for you to obtain alternative sentencing options like community service or a treatment program.
We are not intimidated by the threats made by prosecutors. Our experience helps us understand and plan for their tactics and strategies. If you select us to represent you, we will immediately get to work on contacting those involved to gain more information. Gibbons & Gibbons takes a trial-ready approach to all our cases, meaning that no matter what happens, we are prepared to fight your case and protect your interests for as long as we need to.
A: The prosecution may drop your drug possession case if the judge finds that the drug charges are not legally sound. Your drug possession charge can also be dropped if you prove that the law enforcement officer who arrested you violated your rights during the arrest. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get charges dropped in criminal law as the government acts as the prosecution. If you aim to have your charges dropped completely, you need a qualified Los Angeles drug crimes lawyer.
A: If you are found guilty, the length of your incarceration depends on the controlled substances you had in your possession, the amount of each substance, and other similar factors. A misdemeanor offense generally leads to a year in jail, while felony offenses can include lengthy prison time. Generally, serious illegal drugs such as cocaine will lead to harsher sentences than marijuana possession. This is because the latter is recreationally legal in California.
A: No. Having drugs in your possession does not mean that you plan to distribute them or move them from one place to another. However, the law sets limits for the amount of a drug that a person can have and still be charged with possession rather than trafficking. If you have a lot of a controlled substance, the law assumes that you will be distributing or trafficking the drug, as it is too much for personal use.
A: Criminal defense attorneys all charge differently for their services, and drug crime attorneys are no different. Because there is a lot of market variability, it is important to talk to potential attorneys about your budget before you hire anyone. This helps you to remain within your budget and foresee the financial responsibilities that you will have throughout your case. The average Los Angeles criminal defense attorney charges between $250 and $500 per hour.
It is important to have an attorney in your corner who knows what they are doing. Our firm has an outstanding track record in the community and is confident in our representation. During your free initial consultation, we will discuss exactly what happened with your situation and provide you with guidance about what will happen next. By better understanding the charges against you, you will have a better working knowledge of your legal options and how to use them.
The sooner you call our firm, the better your chances will be of finding a favorable resolution to your case. There is hope for your case, and we are here to help you prepare an effective strategy to protect your interests. Contact our firm today and begin your free consultation.
Call (562) 802-3602 or contact us online now. Serving clients across Los Angeles including communities like Whittier, Bellflower, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Long Beach, South Gate, Bell, Bell Gardens, Paramount, La Mirada, Artesia, Pico Rivera, Montebello.