Pasadena Drug Crime Lawyer

Have you been accused of a drug crime in Pasadena?

Southern California is a focal point in the war on drugs and most law enforcement agencies classify drug crimes as one of the most widespread social problems in our area. Individuals who are accused of a drug crime in Pasadena or throughout Southern California will be heavily prosecuted in the courtroom regardless of whether they have a previous criminal record or not. The prosecutor in a drug case will almost always seek the most severe sentence available under the law, and in felony cases this may include penalties such as life in prison.

The penalties for a drug crime will depend on the type and amount of drugs that are involved. For example, being accused of possession of a small amount of marijuana will result in less severe penalties than being accused of selling large quantities of cocaine. In some cases, suspects are charged with possession with intent to sell because law enforcement found them with large quantities of the drug or drug paraphernalia such as scales and baggies.

How are drugs classified?

California's Health and Safety Code 11350 HS defines "Possession of a Controlled Substance" and makes it a felony to possess certain narcotics. Some prescription drugs like Codeine and Vicodin are also illegal to possess if you do not have a lawful prescription. Drugs are classified according to how addictive they are and whether they have any medical use. The penalties for certain drugs such as LSD and heroin are worse than for others.

How to Fight Your Drug Charges

Whether you are charged with a drug crime of possession, distribution, cultivation, manufacture or sales, it is vitally important that you know your rights under the law. One of the best ways to protect your rights against an automatic conviction is to remain silent until you have contact a Pasadena criminal defense lawyer. You can't afford to take any chances with your case, and a skilled Pasadena criminal defense attorney from our firm will stand by you and give you the support and aggressive representation you need at this time.

Police officers are human, and therefore they are prone to making errors. Some of the most common police errors happen during a drug bust operation where officers "set-up" suspects and violate California's entrapment law. Identifying where a police officer went wrong is one of the best tools for building a strong defense against drug charges, and our firm has extensive experience with investigating these cases. Fighting your drug charges is the only way that you can avoid severe penalties such as jail time, steep fines, and probation, so talk to a lawyer and start building your defense today.

If you have been charged or arrested, contact a Pasadena drug crime attorney from our law firm.