Los Angeles Opioid Trafficking Defense Lawyers
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are used to treat pain and have been prescribed for decades. They are a group of medicines that are naturally produced by the opium poplar plant. This class of drug includes morphine, oxycodone, and codeine.
Illegal synthetic opioids include heroin and fentanyl. Since the 1990s, there’s been a sharp increase in the number of people who illegally use opioids for nonmedical reasons.
Penalties for Opioid Trafficking
Trafficking occurs when individuals or groups distribute opioids to make money from illegal sales. According to California law, it is prohibited to carry any controlled substances across county borders with the aim of selling them illegally.
Even if you do not have physical possession of the drugs, you could still be charged with constructive possession if you have control over them. This mean you can be convicted for trafficking drugs if you instruct someone else to transport them.
There are strict penalties for drug trafficking in California, including fines of up to $20,000 and up to 9 years in prison. Enhancements can add up to a year to your sentence if you sell opioids within 1000 feet of a detox center or a homeless shelter.
Penalties for selling large amounts of opioids can be severe. Depending on the weight, you may be facing up to 25 years in prison and fines up to $8 million.
Federal penalties for trafficking opioids are extremely harsh, with sentences between 10 and 20 years for a first offense, and a possible lifetime sentence for a repeat offense. Fines in these cases can range between $10 million and $75 million.
In addition to the legal penalties, a felony conviction may have the following negative consequences:
- Damage to your immigration status
- Ineligible to serve in the armed forces
- Denial or loss of a professional license
- Revocation of your right to own firearms
- Travel restrictions
- Damage to your professional reputation
Legal Defenses Against Charges of Opioid Trafficking
Opioid trafficking is a felony in California unless you have a valid prescription from your doctor. Your Los Angeles opioid defense attorney may employ several legal defenses against accusations of trafficking, often getting the charges dropped or reduced. These include:
- The drug was prescribed
- Mistaken identity
- You weren’t aware that a package you were carrying contained opioids
- Your right to privacy was violated
- The witnesses against you are government informants
- The witnesses against you have already pled guilty to a crime
- Your due process rights were ignored
- Unreasonable search and seizure
- Entrapment or enticement has occurred
Were You Charged with a Drug Crime in Los Angeles?
District attorneys and federal prosecutors are often zealous about prosecuting drug crimes. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced Los Angeles drug crime attorney by your side.
The nationally recognized defense attorneys at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, won’t be intimidated by anybody. We’ll fight for your freedom, using all the necessary tools at our disposal. Call (213) 688-0460 to schedule your case evaluation today.
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.
