Pasadena Drug Crimes Lawyer

Forcefully Defending Clients In the Greater Pasadena Area Against Drug Charges

Charges involving illegal drugs, known as controlled substances, are among the most common of all criminal charges heard in our local courts. While medical and recreational marijuana has been legalized in our state, it is still a crime to possess certain amounts of marijuana as well as any amount of other illegal drugs. Drug charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. In any of these cases, however, if you want to obtain the best possible legal result, you will need the services of a committed and experienced criminal defense lawyer.

The Law Office of Damon Alimouri defends drugs charges of all kinds and complexities, including the most serious involving large-scale drug trafficking felonies. We are deeply familiar with the drug laws, the local court systems and their procedures, and with how to fully investigate and prepare cases. Our goal is to help you achieve a dismissal of your case, reduced charges, reduced sentencing, or a diversionary program where applicable. We aim for the best possible result in any drug case, devoting our energies and resources into producing the most effective legal strategy available based on the specifics of your case.

Charged with a drug crime? Contact The Law Office of Damon Alimouri at (626) 986-3838 for a one-time free consultation to get knowledgeable legal guidance.

Drug Crimes in California

Drug crimes involve any activity related to California’s list of controlled substances. This list is based on federal law and established under California’s Health and Safety Code. It classifies drugs on a Schedule based on their potential for abuse and whether they have any medical value. Those considered to be the most addictive with little or no medical value fall under Schedule I and II out of five categories. They carry the heaviest penalties, based on the quantity found in your possession and the nature of the offense for which you face charges.

Drug crimes can include:

• Simple possession for your own personal use
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession with intent to sell
• Sales, distribution, and transportation
• Manufacturing
• Doctor shopping and possession of legal medical drugs without an authorized prescription

Common drugs that fall under controlled substance Schedules include cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and synthetic marijuana as well as the compounds that are used to manufacture them. Common prescription medicines that can be involved in drug crimes include Adderall, Xanax, Fentanyl, Valium, Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet.

The penalties you will face in any drug crime will depend on the amount of drugs found in your possession or under your control, the nature of the activity involving the drugs, whether minors were involved, and whether your have prior convictions. The most serious and heavily punished drug crimes involve sales and trafficking, most especially on a large scale and across state lines.

Simple Possession

In California, the most common drug crime is that of possession for one’s own personal use. This is defined as knowing the presence of the drug and actual fact that it is a controlled substance. Possession means that the drug was under your control which does not mean you had to be in actual contact with it. It could be in a glove compartment, in your trunk, in a closet, or elsewhere in a place that you can reach.

What are the Penalties for Simple Possession in California?

This offense is charged as a misdemeanor that carries a county jail sentence of up to year and/or a fine of up to $1,000. In some cases, you may receive summary probation in lieu of a jail sentence.

Summary probation involves being directly supervised by a judge as opposed to a probation officer. You will have to return to court to give updates on your progress in compliance with whatever terms the judge has ordered. These probationary terms can include the payment of fines, completing community service hours, restitution, or other conditions.

In other cases, for those who qualify, you may have the opportunity to have your drug charges dismissed if you successfully complete a treatment program. Generally, to qualify for this program, your charge must be for simple nonviolent possession without any previous convictions within a certain timeframe.

Let Our Pasadena Drug Crimes Attorney Challenge Your Charges

A drug charge can not only lead to criminal penalties but can result in a permanent criminal record. That record can impact your future in terms of potential jobs, housing, educational and professional licensing opportunities, and more. You need to fight back with a strong defense. Our firm is prepared to help you do that through diligence, experience, and skill. No matter the size or complexity of your drug charges, we urge you to take advantage of the benefits you will find at The Law Office of Damon Alimouri.

Book your legal consultation by contacting us at (626) 986-3838 today.