Rancho Cucamonga Drug Crime Attorneys

Aggressively Defending Your Rights in Rancho Cucamonga & the Inland Empire

Drug crimes are taken very seriously in California. If you have been arrested or charged with a drug offense, you could be facing severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, probation, and more. Your future and your freedom are at stake, which is why it is so important that you contact a qualified criminal defense lawyer in San Rancho Cucamonga as soon as possible. At Newman & Allen, we have over 40 years of combined legal experience and a long track record of success. We know what it takes to win in the local courts and are ready to fight for you.

For a confidential consultation, call us at (909) 328-6101 or contact us online. Se habla español.

Types of Drug Crimes in California

California has some of the harshest drug laws in the country. The specific penalties for drug crimes will vary depending on the type and amount of the drug in question, as well as the specific details of the case. In many instances, drug crimes can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the facts.

There are several different types of drug crimes in California, including:

• Drug possession
• Drug sales
• Drug trafficking
• Drug manufacturing/cultivation
• Prescription drug fraud
• Drug conspiracy
• Federal drug crimes

What Is Drug Possession?

Drug possession is a criminal offense that involves having an illegal substance on your person or in your control. It is important to note that you can still be charged with drug possession even if the drugs were not found on your person. If you had control over the substance, such as if it was found in your car or in your home, you could still be charged with possession.

Drug possession charges can be either “simple” or “possession with intent to sell.” These are two different types of drug charges that carry different penalties:

• Simple possession: This is the most common type of drug possession charge and involves having illegal drugs in your possession for personal use. The specific penalties will depend on the type and amount of the drug in question. In many cases, simple possession is a misdemeanor. However, if you have a prior drug conviction, the charges could be elevated to a felony.
• Possession with intent to sell: This is a more serious drug crime that involves having drugs in your possession with the intent to sell, distribute, or deliver them. Under California law, you can be charged with possession with intent to sell even if you did not actually sell any drugs. The specific penalties for this crime will depend on the type and amount of the drug in question, as well as other factors. Possession with intent to sell is a felony.

What Are Drug Sales?

Drug sales is a criminal offense that involves selling, distributing, or delivering illegal drugs. It is important to note that you can still be charged with drug sales even if you did not actually sell the drugs. If you were involved in the process of selling, distributing, or delivering drugs, you could still be charged with this crime.

Similar to drug possession, drug sales can be either “simple” or “sales with enhancements.” These are two different types of drug charges that carry different penalties:

• Simple drug sales: This is the most common type of drug sales charge and involves selling small quantities of illegal drugs. The specific penalties will depend on the type and amount of the drug in question. Simple drug sales is a felony.
• Drug sales with enhancements: This is a more serious drug sales charge that involves selling large quantities of illegal drugs. The specific penalties for this crime will depend on the type and amount of the drug in question, as well as other factors. Drug sales with enhancements is a felony and carries enhanced penalties.

It is important to note that drug sales charges can be elevated to federal charges if the drugs were sold across state lines or if the sale took place on federal property. Federal drug sales charges carry much harsher penalties than state charges.

Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a criminal offense that involves transporting illegal drugs across state lines or across international borders. It is important to note that drug trafficking charges can be brought against you even if you did not physically transport the drugs. If you were involved in the process of moving the drugs, such as being a part of a drug trafficking organization, you could still be charged with this crime.

Drug trafficking is a very serious charge and carries severe penalties, including:

• Years or decades in state prison
• Steep fines
• Forfeiture of property
• Enhanced penalties if you have a prior drug conviction or if children were involved

Drug trafficking charges can be elevated to federal charges if the drugs were transported across state lines or across international borders. Federal drug trafficking charges carry much harsher penalties than state charges.

Drug Manufacturing/Cultivation

Drug manufacturing/cultivation is a criminal offense that involves growing, producing, or creating illegal drugs. The specific charges will depend on the type and amount of the drug in question, as well as other factors. Drug manufacturing/cultivation is a felony and carries severe penalties.

If you were manufacturing or cultivating drugs in a residential area, the charges could be elevated to “drug house” charges. This is a more serious drug crime and carries enhanced penalties.

Prescription Drug Fraud

Prescription drug fraud is a criminal offense that involves obtaining or using prescription drugs without a valid prescription. This can include using someone else’s prescription drugs, altering or forging a prescription, or obtaining prescription drugs from an illegal source. Prescription drug fraud is a felony and carries severe penalties.

Drug Conspiracy

Drug conspiracy is a criminal offense that involves an agreement between two or more people to commit a drug crime. You can be charged with drug conspiracy even if you did not actually commit the drug crime. This is a very serious charge and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

What Is a Federal Drug Crime?

Most drug crimes are prosecuted at the state level. However, drug crimes can also be prosecuted in federal court. There are several different types of drug crimes that can be prosecuted in federal court, including drug trafficking, drug manufacturing/cultivation, and drug conspiracy. Federal drug crimes carry much harsher penalties than state charges. If you are facing federal drug charges, it is absolutely critical that you seek representation from an experienced Rancho Cucamonga drug crime defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Penalties for Drug Convictions in California

The specific penalties for drug crimes in California will vary depending on the type and amount of the drug in question, as well as other factors. In many cases, drug crimes can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the specific details of the case. Felony drug crimes carry much harsher penalties than misdemeanors.

Some of the most common criminal penalties for drug convictions in California include:

• Years or decades in state prison
• Steep fines
• Probation
• Community service
• Mandatory drug counseling or rehab
• Loss of certain civil rights
• Loss of professional licenses

It is important to note that drug crimes can also carry collateral consequences, such as damage to your reputation, difficulty finding employment, difficulty finding housing, and more. Our Rancho Cucamonga drug crime lawyers can help you fight the charges against you and work to minimize the potential penalties you face.

Defending Against Drug Crime Charges

At Newman & Allen, we are committed to protecting your rights and fighting for your future. We know that good people make mistakes and that not every arrest leads to a conviction. Our Rancho Cucamonga drug crime attorneys will carefully review the specific details of your case, including the evidence against you, and help you understand all of your available legal options. We can develop a strong defense strategy tailored to your unique situation and represent you at all hearings and proceedings.

Some common defense strategies for drug crimes include:

• Arguing that the drugs were not yours and that you did not know they were there
• Arguing that the drugs were planted by law enforcement
• Arguing that the drugs were found during an illegal search and seizure
• Arguing that the drugs were found during an illegal traffic stop
• Arguing that the drugs were found during an illegal search warrant
• Arguing that the drugs were found during an illegal arrest
• Arguing that you did not have control over the drugs and could not be charged with possession

Our team has successfully handled countless drug crime cases and knows what it takes to win. We are not afraid to take on prosecutors and will fight aggressively for you at all times. You can rely on us for the strong legal representation you need and the supportive counsel you deserve.

Our Rancho Cucamonga Drug Crime Lawyer Can Help

If you have been arrested or charged with a drug crime, it is important that you consult with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Rancho Cucamonga as soon as possible. The sooner you get our team involved, the better your chances of a favorable outcome. Do not answer any questions or provide any statements to law enforcement without your lawyer present. We can help you understand your legal rights, explain the charges against you, and help you navigate the criminal justice system. Our team can conduct a thorough investigation into your case, including reviewing the specific details of your arrest and any evidence against you. 

For a confidential consultation, call us at (909) 328-6101 or contact us online. Se habla español.