When you are facing any type of drug crime allegations, the impact on your life could be devastating. In addition to criminal penalties, there is no aspect of your life that will remain unaffected by a criminal conviction.
For this reason, you must take action to dodge a conviction. Contact a respected Chino drug crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group to discuss your potential defense opportunities and figure out how to protect your future.
Types of Drug Crimes in Chino
Drug offenses can take many forms in the state of California. The type of drug crime you are charged with will largely determine the impact of the penalties you will face. Additionally, the type of controlled substance and the amount of controlled substance in question will also determine the extent of your penalties.
Controlled substances are classified into schedules based on their potential for addiction and accepted medical use. Schedule l controlled substances have virtually no accepted medical use and are highly addictive, whereas Schedule V controlled substances may be widely used within the medical community and are unlikely to become addictive.
If you are charged with a drug crime involving a Schedule l controlled substance such as heroin, you may be more likely to face severe criminal penalties as opposed to someone who is charged with a drug crime involving a Schedule V controlled substance.
Drug Possession
One of the most common types of drug crimes you could be charged with is those involving drug possession. Possession of a drug means the drug was found under your control.
This does not necessarily mean that the controlled substance must have been on you physically. However, if law enforcement can argue that you had control of the drug at the time of your interactions with police, you may be more likely to be arrested.
Selling Drugs
Selling controlled substances is a punishable offense in Chino and the state of California. You can expect to face more severe penalties for possession with intent to sell due to the high quantities of the drugs that may have been found in your possession.
There are many instances in which you might find yourself facing possession with intent to sell charges. For example, if law enforcement conducted a lawful search and found drug paraphernalia, scales, packaging materials, or guns that you might be manufacturing or selling controlled substances, you could easily be charged with possession with intent to sell.
Drug Trafficking
If you are accused of drug trafficking, it is imperative to get a Chino drug crimes attorney in Chino, CA, on your side. Drug trafficking crimes carry some of the most severe penalties. To be accused of drug trafficking means you could be facing charges at the federal level.
This is especially true if you were accused of transporting large amounts of controlled substances across state lines or internationally. If you are charged with drug trafficking at the federal level, you could expect far harsher consequences than if you were charged at the state level.
For a free legal consultation with a drug crimes lawyer serving Chino, call (310) 896-2723
Criminal Penalties of a Chino Drug Crimes Conviction
If you are found guilty of a drug offense, the consequences could be life-altering. For this reason, having a drug crimes lawyer in Chino, CA, fight for your freedom. The expected sentence you might receive if you are convicted can vary widely on a case-by-case basis.
For example, someone charged with simple drug paraphernalia possession charges would face far less severe penalties than someone charged with federal drug trafficking. The higher the quantity of controlled substances in your case, the more likely it is that you will face a longer sentence.
For a possession with intent to sell offense, you could expect to pay up to $20,000 in fines and spend up to five years in a California state prison. Alternatively, if you are convicted of drug trafficking, you might spend the rest of your life in a California state prison and be ordered to pay fines as high as $8 million.
Do Not Forget About Collateral Consequences
It is not only the fines and prison time that you need to worry about if you are a cat found guilty of a drug offense. The impact your convection will have on your life could be far-reaching. Although your drug crimes lawyer will do everything possible to reduce the impact, there are some consequences you should be prepared to face head-on.
You might find yourself under housing restrictions and find it difficult or impossible to find gainful employment. This is because your criminal background check will reflect your conviction for years to come unless you fight for your criminal record to be expunged and your petition is granted. Other common collateral penalties include issues with citizenship, trouble with child custody or visitation, loss of firearm rights, and being disqualified from federal student aid eligibility.
Your relationships with family and friends might be strained, your reputation might be destroyed, and your guilty verdict may continue to follow you for the rest of your life. Having your drug crimes attorney in Chino prepare a powerful defense may be one of the best ways to protect yourself from these devastating consequences.
Chino Drug Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Defense Strategies for Drug Crime Allegations
The potential defenses that could be used to defend yourself when you have been charged with a drug offense in Chino can vary widely based on the type of drug crime in question, the amount of the drug, and whether there are aggravating or mitigating factors present.
Some of the more common types of defenses used in drug crimes cases include:
- Law enforcement conducted an unlawful search
- Law enforcement obtained evidence illegally
- There was a lack of probable cause
- You were stopped unlawfully
- Your Miranda rights or other constitutional rights were violated
- There was a mistake of fact or witnesses wrongfully identified you as the perpetrator
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Get Help from a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Chino Today
Drug crime allegations may be far more devastating than you were expecting. It is imperative to clear your name of the charges against you so you can protect your future and put this experience behind you.
Learn more about which potential defenses are most appropriate for your case and how you can take back control of your life when you reach out to an experienced Chino drug crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group. Fill out our online contact form or call our office to schedule your confidential case assessment as soon as today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form