Los Angeles Fentanyl Attorneys

Protecting the Rights of Clients Facing Los Angeles Fentanyl Charges

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, manufactured pharmaceutically and prescribed for severe pain management. It is also produced illicitly and distributed throughout the U.S. Fentanyl is approximately 50 times stronger than heroin and 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine, as stated by the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA).

For the first time in U.S. history, we had more than 100,000 overdose deaths in a 12-month period, from April 2020 to April 2021, as reported by U.S. Congressman Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. More than 64,000 of these deaths were caused by Fentanyl, which has become the leading cause of death among adults ages 18 to 45. For this reason, law enforcement is cracking down hard on Fentanyl. If you have been charged with a Fentanyl offense, it is important to speak with an experienced Los Angeles drug crime defense lawyer as soon as possible.

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What Is the Media’s Obsession With “Rainbow Fentanyl”?

On August 30, 2022, a press release warning that brightly-colored fentanyl was being used to target children was issued by the DEA. The agency claimed that drug cartels were using these brightly-colored pills, dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” by the media, to drive addiction among children and young adults, because they resemble candy. There is no evidence to support this conjecture, as reported by NPR. According to street drug experts, brightly colored illegal drugs are nothing new. Traffickers have long used colors to distinguish their products from others on the street.

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What Are the Criminal Charges Associated With Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is listed as a controlled substance by the federal government. If you are caught with fentanyl without a prescription in California, the charges you will face will depend on the amount of the drug in your possession and other circumstances. Fentanyl charges include:

• Simple possession: In most cases, simple possession of fentanyl is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $20,0000. If you are a registered sex offender or have a prior conviction for a violent crime such as rape or murder, fentanyl possession can be charged as a felony, with penalties that may include a prison sentence of two to four years.
• Possession for sale: Law enforcement sees possession of larger amounts of a drug as evidence of intent to sell. Possession of fentanyl with intent to sell carries a jail sentence of 16 months to three years. A drug diversion program is not an option, as the crime does not revolve around personal drug use.
• Sales or transportation: If you were charged with fentanyl sales or transportation, you could face up to five years in state prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.

In addition to incarceration and fines, a fentanyl conviction will leave you with a criminal record. This can negatively impact your future employment, housing, and education prospects, and even your personal relationships.

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What Are Some Common Defenses Against Fentanyl Charges?

Our Los Angeles fentanyl attorneys can raise all possible legal defenses against fentanyl charges in your case. Common defense include the following:

• The fentanyl was not yours.
• You did not know the fentanyl was there.
• You knew it was there, but you did not know it was fentanyl.
• The fentanyl in your possession was for your use alone.
• Police discovered the fentanyl in an illegal search and seizure.
• You were a victim of police misconduct.

If you are facing fentanyl charges, your best chance of obtaining the most favorable outcome is to have an experienced Los Angeles opioid lawyer protecting your rights and defending you against the charges. Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460.

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Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP Today
Phone: (213) 688-0460
Fax: (213) 624-1942