Drug offenses carry harsh criminal penalties if convicted. When you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense related to a controlled substance, you may require the legal support of an experienced Ontario drug crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group.
Defending yourself when you are facing such allegations can be challenging. However, with the right legal advocate on your side, you can clear your name of the allegations against you. Contact our office for a confidential consultation today and learn more about how we might approach your defense strategy.
Examples of Drug Crimes in Ontario
There are multiple types of drug offenses you could be charged with in the state of California. Your drug crimes lawyer in Ontario, CA will need to examine the type of charges you are facing, so we can understand the extent of the charges against you and your potential penalties. With that in mind, some of the most common types of drugs crimes you could be charged with include:
- Drug paraphernalia
- Drug possession
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug trafficking
- Drug cultivation
Other factors that will impact the outcome of your case include the type of controlled substance involved in the amount of the drug in question. In California, drugs are classified under controlled substances as Schedules.
Schedule l controlled substances are considered the most severe type of drug, while Schedule V controlled substances are considered the least severe. Schedule l controlled substances have a high propensity for addiction, and no accepted medical use, while Schedule V controlled substances are unlikely to cause addiction and are widely accepted for medical use.
If you are facing a drug crime offense, the severity of your penalties depends on how addictive the drug is and how much of the drug is involved. More addictive drugs and larger amounts of them will mean harsher punishment. When you are still unsure how severe the charges against you are, your Ontario drug crimes attorney is here to help you understand what you are facing.
For a free legal consultation with a drug crimes lawyer serving Ontario, call (310) 896-2723
Penalties of an Ontario Drug Crimes Conviction
The potential penalties you will face if you are convicted of a drug crime will vary based on whether you are charged at the misdemeanor or felony level. Most drug crimes in the state of California are wobbler offenses.
This means they can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on several factors, including your criminal history, whether a weapon was involved, the amount of the drug in question, and more. Some of the potential consequences of a drug crimes conviction could include:
- Incarceration in a Los Angeles county jail or a California state prison
- Court fines and restitution to any alleged victims
- Completion of a drug or alcohol treatment program
- Attendance at anger management, group therapy, or mental health counseling
- Suspension or revocation of your California state driver’s license
- Completion of court-ordered community service hours
Your drug crimes attorney in Ontario, CA will work diligently to get your charges reduced to a misdemeanor wherever possible.
Collateral Penalties Associated with Drug Crimes
Criminal penalties are not the only way your life will be affected if you are found guilty of a drug crime in Ontario. Collateral penalties describe the ways your life will be influenced by a conviction. Some of the most powerful collateral consequences you should be aware of include:
- Issues with immigration or citizenship
- Loss of professional licenses
- Ineligibility for federal student aid
- Reduced opportunities for safe or affordable housing
- Being passed over for job opportunities
- Being terminated
- Child custody or visitation problems
- Probation or parole requirements
Ontario Drug Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
How to Defend Yourself Against Ontario Drug Crime Charges
If you are hoping to avoid the fallout of a conviction, our drug crimes attorneys are here to help you clear your name of the allegations against you. Potential defenses could include working out a plea agreement, entering a pretrial diversion program, or preparing a powerful defense strategy. Here is more:
Work Out a Plea Agreement
State prosecutors are often willing to work with those charged with drug crimes by offering plea agreements. In this way, you may be able to get the charges against you reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed altogether by working with the state.
You may need to complete specific requirements, such as completion of a drug or alcohol treatment program, in exchange for the prosecutor dropping the charges. You could also be ordered to complete community service and pay restitution or court fines. However, if you do not adhere to the terms of your plea agreement, it is likely you will face criminal penalties.
Enter a Pretrial Diversion Program
Pretrial diversion programs are often available for first-time, non-violent offenders. If you have never been arrested or charged with a drug crime in the past, the prosecutor may be willing to allow you to enter a pretrial diversion program.
Similar to a plea agreement, you will be required to complete specific terms. In exchange, the prosecutor will reduce or dismiss the charges against you entirely. However, if you reach the terms of your pretrial diversion program, you will face the original charges and potential sentencing if convicted.
Prepare a Compelling Defense Strategy
Sometimes, the prosecutor is not willing to offer a plea agreement or pretrial diversion program. If this happens, your attorney will need to be prepared with a powerful defense strategy. Examples of defenses that could be used to clear your name of the drug crime allegations against you include:
- Illegal search and seizure
- Mistake of fact
- Constructive versus actual possession
- Lack of knowledge of the presence of drugs
- Lack of criminal intent
- Mistaken identity
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Reach Out to a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Ontario for Help Today
Drug crimes carry some of the harshest penalties of all criminal offenses in the state of California. If you are hoping to avoid the fallout of the conviction, but do not believe you can rely on a public defender to take on your case, do not hesitate to contact an aggressive Ontario drug crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group for help.
Schedule a confidential consultation as soon as today when you fill out our quick contact form or call our office.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form