Los Angeles Drug Crime Defense Lawyers
Representing Those Accused of Drug Crimes in Los Angeles
Our society looks down on those charged with drug crimes. A drug-related arrest could lose you your friends, your family, your job, and your reputation. A felony drug offense may even lose you the chance to raise your children. There is nothing worse than having what you love taken from you. Thankfully, you do not have to accept the charges laid at your feet. With an experienced legal team at your side, you can fight to have your charges lessened, or even dropped completely.
As experienced Los Angeles drug crime defense attorneys, Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP know how to set up a strong defense for our clients. We know our way around the court and are not afraid to go head to head with the prosecution on your behalf. If you are facing drug crime charges, call our firm at (213) 688-0460. The prosecution has already started to build their case, so why shouldn’t you?
The Drug Charges You May be Facing
While most may assume the only people who get charged with drug crimes are users and sellers, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In California, there are a number of charges related to drug crimes that you could be facing. Knowing these potential charges is incredibly important when it comes to building your defense, as it allows you to dismantle any claims the prosecution may make. Some of the more common drug crime charges include:
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Use of a controlled substance
- Sale of a controlled substance
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Transportation of a controlled substance
- Transportation with the intent to sell a controlled substance
- Sale of a controlled substance to a minor
Each crime will come with its own set of punishments, as they vary in degrees of seriousness. Some charges will be classified as misdemeanors, while some are automatic felonies. When you are arrested for a drug crime, it is key that you are told exactly what you are being charged with. You should never be left unaware of your alleged crime, that way when you call your Los Angeles criminal lawyer, you can tell them the charges, and they can begin working on your case immediately. A good defense takes time, and you should aim to give your attorney as much time as possible.
Drug Schedules in California
The term “controlled substance” gets thrown around a lot. You may not even be aware of what a controlled substance even is. In the 1970s, our federal government declared a war on drugs. Part of the new legislature passed during this period involved categorizing different drugs into “schedules.” The drugs that made it onto these schedules are considered controlled substances, as in you are unable to purchase them without a prescription from a medical professional.
The schedules go from one to five, with one being the most restricted substances and five being fairly unlimited. While the federal government does have an official schedule of its own that states can choose to follow, states are also free to modify the schedules in a way that better represents the needs of the people. A prime example of this is marijuana, which is legal in California, but considered a controlled substance on the federal level.
Schedule V: These drugs have a very low chance of addiction and are used for medicinal purposes. Examples include Lomotil, Motofen, and Parepectolin.
Schedule IV: Again, these drugs have a fairly low chance of addiction or dependence, although they are slightly more dangerous than Schedule V drugs. Some common Schedule IV drugs include Xanax, Valium, and Ambien.
Schedule III: Schedule III drugs do have a chance of addiction, although it is still considered low enough to not be immediately dangerous, and they do have some medical purposes. Examples are ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
Schedule II: These drugs are considered highly addictive and potentially dangerous. However, they can still have medical uses, and so might be prescribed by a doctor in extreme circumstances. Schedule II drugs you may know include Adderall, Ritalin, oxycodone, and cocaine.
Schedule I: Drugs categorized as Schedule I are considered highly addictive, with dependency development being very likely. Unlike Schedule II drugs, these drugs will not be prescribed at any point and are not considered to have any medical uses. Some common Schedule I drugs are heroin, LSD, meth, and ecstasy.
Drug Crimes and Penalties
The penalties you may face after a drug crime conviction will depend largely on what crime you were charged with as well as what drug was in use, in possession, being transported, or sold. A possession charge of a Schedule V drug will likely be much lighter than a possession charge of a Schedule I drug. Simple possession is also usually a lighter charge than distribution or transportation.
The exact penalties vary from a small fine to a lengthy prison sentence. Your penalties will also depend on if you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. There are some drug crimes that are always charged as felonies, such as selling to a minor, but others are “wobblers,” meaning they could be charged as misdemeanors or felonies.
If you are charged with a felony, then you will be facing penalties long after you leave prison. Felons have certain rights stripped of them, even after serving their sentence. With a felony charge you may not be able to:
- Travel internationally
- Own a firearm
- Vote
- Serve in a jury
- Seek certain kinds of employment
- Visit your child
These penalties are incredibly harsh and not something people wish to experience. If you want to avoid serving time in prison, paying a hefty fine, and being labeled a felon, then you need a top-notch criminal defense attorney. Without proper legal representation, you won’t have the chance to defend yourself against drug charges. Thankfully, our attorneys have years of experience and know just how to build a proper defense.
The Defense Team You Need
A drug crime conviction can have lasting consequences on your life, especially if you were convicted as a felon. We at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP understand how frightening that reality can be. Which is why we fight for our clients’ right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If you or a loved one are facing drug crime charges, you need a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to have your back. Call our firm at (213) 688-0460 and get the help you need.
Additional Information
Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP Today
Phone: (213) 688-0460 
Fax: (213) 624-1942
Recent Case Results
- Complete Dismissal of Molestation Charges
Attorney Mark Werksman’s 29 year old client was falsely accused of molesting two neighborhood children and was subsequently charged with felony child molestation, with a significant prison sentence hanging over his head should he be convicted. Instead, at the preliminary hearing Werksman was able to convince the court to grant his client a complete dismissal of any charges. - Decision Set Aside
Client, a college student in a faulty Title IX case, was awarded $130,000 in attorney fees. - Probation with No Jail Time for Drug Money Laundering Charge
Wilmington man accused in New York federal court of laundering drug money through the sale of laptop computers. Mark was able to get the case transferred to federal court in Los Angeles, where he convinced the United States Attorney to reduce the charges. His client was sentenced to probation with no jail time on a misdemeanor conviction.
