Drug Crimes

California Attorney Assisting People Charged with Narcotics Offenses

California, including Riverside County, has a high rate of arrests for drug possession and convictions for drug crimes. If you were recently charged with a drug crime, you should speak with a skillful Riverside County drug crime lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your charges and your options going forward. Shaffer T. Cormell is a defense attorney who has been assisting people charged with drug crimes for over 30 years. Mr. Cormell is well versed in the intricacies of the California legal system and can provide you with a thorough, sophisticated defense. Mr. Cormell represents people charged with drug crimes in Blythe, Banning, Riverside, Murrieta, Indio, Palm Springs, Coachella, Joshua Tree, Hemet, San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Barstow, Brawley, El Centro, Winterhaven, and other cities throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties.

Drug Crimes Under California Law

In California, while drug crimes can range from misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia to felony charges of drug trafficking, most drug charges arise out of the alleged possession of a controlled substance. The California Health and Safety Code makes it illegal to possess controlled substances, which include illicit drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin, as well as certain prescription drugs that are possessed without a valid prescription. Controlled substances are defined as any drug or chemical regulated by the United States Controlled Substances Act.

If you are charged with a drug crime, the manner in which your case proceeds depends on the nature of your charges. For example, if you are charged with possession of a controlled substance, you may be eligible to resolve your case via Drug Court, which is a non-traditional method of dealing with criminal charges that focuses on rehabilitation. If you are charged with a drug crime, a knowledgeable drug crime attorney in Riverside County can discuss what to expect in your case.

Defenses to Drug Charges

Under California law, for the State to obtain a conviction for a drug crime, it must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime with which you were charged. In most circumstances, the State’s case will rely heavily on the evidence obtained during the criminal investigation. If the evidence was obtained improperly, however, you may be able to argue that it should be suppressed, preventing the State from using it against you.

For example, the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Thus, if the police found drugs during a search of a defendant’s property, but they did not have a valid warrant prior to searching the property and cannot prove that exigent circumstances existed that allowed them to search the property without a warrant, the search may be improper. Additionally, even if the police had a warrant, if they exceeded the scope of the warrant and found evidence of a drug crime during an inappropriate search, the evidence may be suppressed. Riverside County drug crime attorney Shaffer Cormell is familiar with the nuances of search and seizure law. Furthermore, even if the police find evidence of drugs or paraphernalia, they must prove that it belonged to the defendant rather than someone else.

California law also protects people from entrapment by law enforcement officers. Entrapment is defined as conduct that would induce a normally law abiding person to commit a crime. Whether the defense of entrapment is successful depends on the facts of the case and the court’s interpretation of whether a reasonable person would have been induced to commit criminal activity in the situation presented. If you are charged with a drug crime, it is important to remember that you are presumed innocent until the State proves that you are guilty, and to retain a seasoned criminal attorney to assist you in developing a defense.

Speak With a Trustworthy Defense Attorney

Drug crimes can range from misdemeanors to serious offenses, and a conviction of a drug crime can result in jail time, fines, and a damaging criminal record. If you have been charged with a drug crime in Riverside, San Bernardino, or Imperial County, it is prudent to speak with a drug crime lawyer in Riverside County to determine your options. Shaffer T. Cormell will work vigorously to help you pursue the most favorable legal outcome possible under the facts of your case. He can gather evidence and develop creative legal arguments for your defense. You can contact Mr. Cormell at (888) 922-5051 or through the online form to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case.