Drug Cases

California cases involving drugs give rise to many issues, and many possible defenses and results. Charges involving drugs range from being under the influence of a substance or possession for personal use of a substance, to possession for purposes of sale or narcotics trafficking. California cases involving drug possession or drug sales require a California criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with the specialized law in these areas. A skilled California drug possession lawyer will know how to handle the drug possession charge in the most effective manner.

In a California drug possession case, the most damning evidence (and thus the most important for the prosecution) is typically the drugs themselves, and any associated paraphernalia—scales, baggies, pay/owe slips, journals, and books and magazines relating to cultivation and distribution of products. Therefore, the first line of defense for the California drug possession lawyer or California criminal defense attorney is to suppress the evidence against the accused. If the evidence is suppressed, the prosecutor cannot use it for any reason, and generally the case will have to be dismissed.

California Drug possession charges also invite asset forfeiture proceedings. Forfeiture is the taking by the government, without compensating the owner, of property that was illegally used or obtained. Where assets are acquired through a pattern of criminal profiteering activity or proceeds, the government will seize them for their own use or sale. Sometimes assets are seized and forfeited without any proceedings; in other California cases, real property or personal property worth more than $25,000 which are subject to forfeiture require judicial forfeiture proceedings. Where personal property is seized that is worth $25,000 or less, it only requires that notice be given that the property may be forfeited. If no claim is filed for the return of the property, the property may be forfeited without judicial proceedings. It is therefore vital that anyone accused of a drug possession charge or a drug sales charge contact a skilled California criminal defense lawyer right away.

And what about sentencing alternatives such as drug diversion, drug court, and California’s Proposition 36? Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura, California based Criminal defense attorney Darren Kavinoky devotes 100% of his practice to criminal defense work, and is well-versed in each of these sentencing alternatives. Drug possession charges and drug sales charges can result in incredibly harsh penalties. If you have been charged with the possession or sales of narcotics, it is essential that you have the services of a California criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with each of these areas.

If you or someone you care about has a Los Angeles, Orange County or Ventura, California drug case, please contact a criminal defense lawyer at once.

Visit California criminal defense lawyer Darren Kavinoky's Drunk Driving Guide website to get additional information about drunk driving help and California DUI defense.