Drug Crime Attorney in San Bernardino

Serious Drug Charges Call For Serious Defense—Contact Newman & Allen at (909) 328-6101

A drug arrest in or around San Bernardino can turn your life upside down in a matter of hours. You may be worried about jail, your job, your family, and how a conviction could follow you for years. In this moment, you need clear information and a steady legal team on your side.

At Newman & Allen, we focus on defending people accused of serious criminal offenses, including a wide range of narcotics cases. Our firm has represented clients across the Inland Empire since 1996, and our attorneys include former prosecutors who know how the state builds drug cases. We work to protect your record, your freedom, and your future from the start.

Take the first step toward clearing your name. Call (909) 328-6101 or contact us online to speak with a drug crime attorney in San Bernardino. Our former prosecutors and +40 years of combined experience are ready to protect your rights.

Understanding Drug Crime Laws in California

Drug offenses in San Bernardino are prosecuted under the Health and Safety (HS) Code. In 2026, the law distinguishes sharply between personal use and the intent to distribute.

• Simple Possession (HS 11350 & 11377): Possession of narcotics (like cocaine or heroin) or non-narcotics (like methamphetamine) for personal use. While often a misdemeanor under Prop 47, the 2026 "treatment-mandated felony" rules now allow prosecutors to file felony charges if you have two or more prior drug-related convictions.
• Possession for Sale (HS 11351 & 11378): A straight felony. Prosecutors look for "indicia of sale," such as scales, baggies, large amounts of cash, or multiple cell phones.
• Transportation or Sale (HS 11352 & 11379): The most serious drug trafficking charges. Under 2026 enhancements, transporting drugs across more than two county lines or involving fentanyl can lead to decade-long prison sentences.
• Possession While Armed (HS 11370.1): A felony that applies if you possess a usable amount of a controlled substance while in immediate personal possession of a loaded, operable firearm.

As your San Bernardino drug crimes lawyer, we stay ahead of the curve. We are experts in the 2026 Prop 36 protocols, which allow certain defendants to trade incarceration for court-mandated treatment, potentially leading to a full dismissal of charges.

At Newman & Allen, our attorneys defend clients accused of offenses related to controlled substances, including street drugs and prescription medications. Some cases involve traffic stops on area freeways, others involve searches of homes or shared spaces, and many hinge on who actually possessed or controlled the items police claim to have found. A drug crime lawyer in San Bernardino must be prepared to deal with each of these scenarios.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Drug Convictions

The consequences of a drug conviction in San Bernardino are far-reaching and can impact your life for decades.

• Direct Penalties: Misdemeanors carry up to 1 year in county jail. Felonies can result in 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison—and much longer if "weight enhancements" or "fentanyl warnings" apply.
• The "Treatment-Mandated" Felony: Under the 2026 Prop 36 rules, failing to complete court-ordered treatment can trigger a mandatory 3-year prison sentence.
• Professional Licensing: Boards for nursing, pharmacy, and education frequently revoke licenses for even minor drug convictions.
• Federal Consequences: Because drugs are still illegal federally, a California conviction can lead to the loss of student loans, public housing, and—for non-citizens—mandatory deportation.

What To Expect In San Bernardino Courts

Understanding the court process can help reduce anxiety after a drug charge. In San Bernardino County, felony and misdemeanor cases are typically heard at the Justice Center or other Superior Court locations, depending on where the arrest occurred. Knowing which courthouse your case will be in helps you prepare and stay organized throughout the proceedings.

Your first appearance is usually the arraignment, where the judge reads your charges, explains your rights, addresses bail, and sets future court dates. Entering a not guilty plea at this stage is common. Having an experienced San Bernardino drug arrest attorney ensures your rights are protected and that you understand each step of the process.

After arraignment, your case may involve multiple pretrial hearings. During this time, attorneys review discovery, consult with prosecutors, file motions, and advise on offers or resolutions. Some cases settle through negotiation, while others proceed to trial. Throughout, our team prepares you for court appearances, explains procedures clearly, and provides support so you are never facing the judge alone.

What To Do After A Drug Arrest in San Bernardino

Those first hours and days after a drug arrest are confusing and stressful. You may feel pressure to explain yourself to officers, friends, or family members, or to post about what happened. The choices you make now can affect the strength of your defense later, especially if you have not yet spoken with a drug arrest attorney.

It is common to feel scared or embarrassed, particularly if this is your first contact with the criminal justice system. Remember that you have rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Using those rights is not an admission of guilt. It is a way of protecting yourself while the facts are sorted out.

After a drug arrest, these steps can help protect you and your case:

• Stay calm and avoid arguing with officers, even if you believe they are wrong.
• Politely state that you choose to remain silent and that you want to speak with a lawyer.
• Avoid consenting to searches of your phone, vehicle, or home without speaking to counsel.
• Do not discuss the details of the arrest on social media or through text messages.
• Write down what you remember about the stop, search, and any statements as soon as you can.
• Contact a trusted drug arrest attorney as early as possible so your rights are protected.

When you reach out to our firm, we talk through what happened, review your paperwork, and discuss upcoming court dates. Our attorneys can help you understand what to expect next and how your choices now may influence the options available later in the case.

Why Choose Newman & Allen

When you are deciding who should stand beside you in court, experience and preparation matter. Newman & Allen has been defending people facing serious criminal accusations since 1996. Over those decades, we have appeared in courts throughout San Bernardino County and surrounding communities and have guided many clients through high-stakes cases.

Our team includes two former prosecutors. This background gives us valuable insight to understand how prosecutors assess evidence, decide which charges to file, and evaluate plea offers. We draw on that perspective when we review the police reports, body camera footage, and lab results in your case.

We do not treat cases like numbers. Our drug crime attorneys in San Bernardino take time to understand the events that led to your arrest and what is at stake for you at home and at work. We carefully prepare, looking at the stop, search, and seizure issues, and we work to present the full scope of your story to judges and prosecutors. Our goal is to build a tailored strategy, not to rely on the same approach in every case.

From your first call, you can expect confidentiality and straightforward communication. We offer free, confidential evaluations so you can speak with a lawyer about what happened and what you are facing without pressure. If you choose to work with us, you will have a dedicated team that strives to keep you informed and prepared for each court date.

How Our Attorneys Defend Drug Cases in San Bernardino

Every drug case turns on its own facts. Our role is to examine those facts carefully, look for weaknesses in the government’s evidence, and work to build a defense that fits your situation. A drug lawyer in San Bernardino must understand both the legal rules and how those rules play out in local courtrooms.

Many drug charges begin with a traffic stop, a contact on the street, or a knock at the door. We review whether officers had a lawful reason to stop or detain you, and whether any search of your person, vehicle, or home met constitutional requirements. We also look at issues like constructive possession, where drugs are found in a place that several people could access, and at the amount and packaging that prosecutors may use to argue sales or intent to distribute.

Just as important, we focus on telling your story in a complete and honest way. That may include information about your work history, family responsibilities, health, or efforts to address substance use. We prepare thoroughly for court and strive to keep you informed so you know what we are doing and why at each stage.

At Newman & Allen, we don't just look at the police report; we look at the constitutional violations that often occur during drug stings and traffic stops.

• Fourth Amendment Specialists: We scrutinize every search and seizure. Did the K9 unit take too long to arrive? Was the search of your trunk legal? We find the errors that other lawyers miss.
• Constructive Possession Defense: If drugs were found in a shared house or vehicle, we fight to prove the state cannot link those drugs specifically to you.
• Indicia of Sale Challenges: We argue that "bulk packaging" was for personal use to save money, not for sale, potentially turning a major felony into a minor misdemeanor.
• Laboratory Re-Testing: We don't take the government's word for it. We use independent toxicologists to verify the weight and purity of the substances seized.

Talk To Our San Bernardino Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys About Your Drug Case

At Newman & Allen, we bring decades of criminal defense experience, including former prosecutor insight, to every drug case we handle. We offer confidential evaluations and strive to provide careful, personalized representation from the first call through the final court date.

Call (909) 328-6101 or reach out online to speak with our team today.