Drug Charges
Have You Been Convicted of a Drug Crime in the Sacramento Area?
Charged with a drug offense? Call 916-546-8052 for a free consultation today. Protect your rights.
Whether you are charged with simple possession of a controlled substance, or large scale trafficking, we can help. Representing clients all over California we can help you fight the charges, protect your rights, and find the best outcome possible.
In many drug cases there are often weaknesses in the case presented against our clients. Officer’s may frequently violate your fourth amendment rights against a warrant-less search and seizure by relying on illegitimate confidential informants, entrapment schemes designed to trick you into buying or selling drugs, or searching you or your belongings without a valid warrant. Before taking any plea bargain ALWAYS consult with a lawyer to discuss your case and your rights. Contact us at 916-546-8052 to let us look at your case and how to protect your rights.
Common Drug Charges
Health and Safety Code 11350 – “Possession of a Controlled Substance”
Health and Safety Code 11350 (HS 11350) makes it a felony to possess illegal narcotics such as heroic, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, GHB, crack, and even prescription drugs such as Vicodin or Codeine that are not prescribed.
If convicted a person faces up to three years in California state prison and a felony on their permanent record. Depending on your prior record, we may be able to secure a drug diversion (under Penal Code 1000) or Proposition 36 resolution, which if completed successfully will keep these charges off your permanent record.
Health and Safety Code 11351
Health and Safety Code 11351 (HS 11351) makes it a felony to possess illegal drugs for the purposes of sale. This crime is more serious that HS 11350 and thus not subject to PC 1000 diversion or Prop 36.
In deciding whether to charge a person with HC 11351, the District Attorney’s Office will generally look at:
- The amount of drugs seized,
- Any packaging equipment (baggies, bindles, or scales),
- Large sums of cash on hand indicative of recent drug sales, or
- Any cell phones with messages indicating drugs for sale.
A person faces up to two, three, or four years in California state prison if convicted of violating HS 11351.
Because the facts of each case vary, often a person is wrongfully accused of possessing drugs for the purposes of sale when in actuality they were only for personal use. In situations like that we will look into whether there are problems in the case from beginning to end, such as search warrant issues, wrongful charges, or other problems.
Health and Safety Code 11352 – Sale or Transportation of a Controlled Substance
Health and Safety Code 11352 (HS 11352) makes it a felony to sell, furnish, administer, give away, offer to transport, or import into California an illegal narcotic. Often these drug cases involve an officer who claims to witness a person selling drugs, when in fact that person is only purchasing drugs for personal use. That person is then wrongfully charged with a much more serious crime. As you can imagine, simply explaining to the District Attorney and the Court that you were only buying drugs will generally not be enough to get the case dismissed. Do not hesitate to contact us today to plead your case with the court.
A person convicted of HS11352 faces up to three, four, or five years in California state prison.
Health and Safety Code 11364 (HS 11364) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Health and Safety Code Section 11364 (HS 11364) makes it a misdemeanor to “possess an opium pipe or any device, contrivance, instrument, or paraphernalia used for unlawfully injecting or smoking a controlled substance.” Most commonly these are pipes, bongs, cocaine spoons, or hypodermic needles.
As with all drug cases, many times the client’s fourth amendment rights are not followed and an officer will search a person without a valid warrant or without probable cause. We will be able to look at your case and, if appropriate, file a motion to suppress to have the case dismissed.
A person convicted of violating HS 11364 is punishable with up to six months of jail time. This offense generally will allow for a Prop 36 or PC 1000 resolution, depending on your record.
Health and Safety Code 11377 (HS 11377) – Possession of Methamphetamine
Health and Safety Code 11377 (HS 11377) makes it a crime to possess methamphetamine. Commonly referred to as meth, speed, or crystal meth, this crime is a wobbler, meaning the District Attorney’s office may choose to file the case a misdemeanor or a felony. This decision is made based on the person’s record and the amount of methamphetamine seized.
A person convicted of a felony charge of HS 11377 is subject to 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in California state prison. As a misdemeanor, a person is subject to up to a year in jail. A person accused of HS 11377 typically qualifies for a Prop 36 or PC 1000 disposition.
Health and Safety Code 11379.6 (HS 11379.6)– Manufacturing Drugs and Narcotics
Health and Safety Code 11379.6 (HS 11379.6) makes it a felony for a person “who manufactures, compounds, converts, produces, derives, processes, or prepares any controlled substance.” Commonly this is charged when a person operates a meth lab, or manufactures drugs in some other way. In order to be convicted of this code section the manufacturing process must have begun, rather than just the gathering of materials.
The penalties for a violation of HS 11379.6 include up to three, five, or seven years in California state prison, making this one of the harsher penalties for a drug crime in California.
If you or your loved one has been arrested for any drug charge, do not hesitate to contact us at 916-546-8052 immediately to discuss your case. Protect your rights and get the best possible outcome available. Our firm handles these cases all over California, including in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, Sutter, San Joaquin, and Nevada Counties.
Additional Resources
Health and Safety Code 11350 Statute
Health and Safety Code 11351 Statute
Health and Safety Code 11352 Statute
Health and Safety Code 11364 Statute