Drug Crimes
Arrested & charged with a drug crime? Call us for FREE consultation.
SACRAMENTO CRIMINAL LAWYER
Common Drug Crimes
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Transportation / Distribution of a Controlled Substance
- Manufacture / Cultivation of a Controlled Substance
Drug possession charges are the most common drug charges filed in the state, and processing these charges and housing convicted inmates represents a significant cost. To alleviate the situation, California passed Proposition 47 in November 2014, reducing penalties for simple drug possession charges from felonies to misdemeanors and creating a framework to remove individuals convicted of these charges from state prisons. This represents a shift away from penalizing drug users and a move toward targeting drug production and distribution.
Possession vs Intent to Distribute
With the increased focus on the production and sale of drugs, some experts say prosecutors and police have become “trigger happy” bringing charges of production and sale. Often times, it is the amount of a given drug that determines whether you are charged with “possession” or with “possession with intent to distribute”. Intent to distribute charges may also be brought if suspicious amounts of cash, containers/bags, or equipment used to weigh or package the substance were found. In California, the difference between these charges is especially important because possession charges are a misdemeanor offense, while intent to distribute charges are a felony offense.
Distribution, Transportation and Manufacturing
The most serious drug charges that can be brought against an individual involve transportation, distribution and manufacturing of a controlled substance. Drug distribution charges carry more severe penalties than intent to distribute charges and are usually brought against individuals with alleged involvement in large-scale operations. Transportation charges are brought against individuals who knowingly transport a controlled substance and can draw Federal drug trafficking charges if the substance crossed federal or state lines, or if there was intent to cross. Distribution and manufacturing charges can result in severe penalties and require the immediate attention of an experienced drug defense attorney, please call our Sacramento criminal lawyer today.
Marijuana-Related offenses
In November 2016, California passed Proposition 64, which completely decriminalized recreational use and possession of Marijuana for individuals 21 and older. This proposition has huge implications for individuals serving sentences for crimes related to Marijuana. Many activities that were considered illegal have now been made legal retroactively, meaning that the passing of this proposition may enable you to expunge your record and/or be released from prison!
If you are being charged with a drug related crime, contact our Sacramento criminal lawyer immediately for a consultation.
Contact Sacramento Criminal Lawyer
When you have been charged with a crime, choose a criminal defense attorney in Sacramento with the experience and dedication to make a difference. The Law Office of Wing & Parisi is dedicated to provide exceptional customer service and excellent legal representation for those charged with any type of crime.
Whether it’s your first charge or your second, you need a dedicated and skilled attorney by your side. Contact us online or call at (916) 441-4888 for a free and confidential case consultation, available in Spanish. We appear in state and federal courts in the Sacramento and Davis communities as well as throughout Placer and San Joaquin counties.
