Glendale Drug Crime Defense Attorneys Serving Los Angeles County
California, along with many states around the country, is moving to decriminalize or fully legalize small-scale possession, cultivation, and distribution of many types of controlled substances. These efforts are, however, ongoing, and drug crimes are still punished very severely in the state. While certain substances such as marijuana and salvia are legal in California, most are still prohibited. Drug crimes remain among the most commonly charged offenses in the state, despite a push from many criminal justice and civil rights advocates to end the so-called “War on Drugs.”
Illegally possessing or trafficking in controlled substances can lead to serious penalties including heavy fines and long prison terms. A conviction for a drug crime can have lasting consequences on your ability to get a job, get a mortgage or other loan, obtain a professional license, remain in the country as a non-citizen, or otherwise live your life to its fullest.
If you’ve been arrested or charged with a drug crime in Los Angeles, you need a seasoned California drug crime defense lawyer on your side as soon as possible. Talk to the dedicated criminal defense lawyers at McReynolds Vardanyan after your drug crime arrest to discuss your options and start building a strong defense today. Do not let a drug arrest derail your life.
Defending Against Drug Charges
Our seasoned drug crime defense attorneys can help you fight the worst consequences of drug crime charges. We’ll pursue all possible avenues for defense, depending on the nature and circumstances of your case, including the following:
- Moving to suppress illegally-obtained evidence, including evidence obtained during warrantless searches, unlawful car stops, pat-down searches, and unjustified home searches
- Challenging unjustified search warrants
- Fighting drug quantity included in charges
- Negotiating reduced charges in a plea bargain
- Negotiating a drug diversionary program resulting in non-conviction
- Undermining evidence used to establish guilt in order to prove innocence
Prosecutors often try to scare defendants into excessive plea bargains by pursuing the most severe charges possible even for minor possession or distribution offenses. We do not let our clients get railroaded and bullied into copping to charges that they simply do not deserve. If there’s a way to weaken the prosecutions’ case, we’ll find it. If there is a more favorable outcome possible, such as a drug diversion program or a lesser charge, we will negotiate with the government to work toward the best resolution possible. If your charges should be dropped entirely, we’ll fight to make sure that you don’t wind up with an unnecessary and unjustified criminal conviction on your record. Talk to a passionate drug crime defense lawyer at McReynolds Vardanyan today.
Can I Be Arrested for Marijuana in California?
California has fully legalized cannabis possession, use, and sale for both medicinal and recreational uses. Unfortunately, that does not mean that you are free from all possible prosecution for marijuana-related crimes. Many cities and counties still prohibit marijuana distribution, which can lead to fines and other punishments for people who sell cannabis products without authorization. Additionally, California has a strict licensing and regulatory scheme for distributing cannabis for medicinal or recreational use; selling marijuana outside of that regulatory scheme can lead to regulatory and even criminal penalties for unlawful distribution of (or possession with intent to sell) a controlled substance.
Moreover, marijuana and cannabis remain illegal under federal law. While simple possession will not be prosecuted as a federal crime, possessing, cultivating, or distributing large quantities of cannabis, especially without official state authorization, can lead to federal prosecution. Additionally, if you are carrying marijuana while crossing state lines or while on federal land, you are technically subject to federal prosecution. Such cases are rare, but they do happen.
Seasoned and Trial-Ready California Drug Crime Lawyers
If you have been arrested for possession, distribution, or other drug crimes in Los Angeles or anywhere in Southern California, our experienced and compassionate drug crime defense lawyers are ready to protect your rights. Call the criminal defense legal team at McReynolds Vardanyan to start building your case today. We fight for your rights and your freedom.