Medium photo
Michael Berg

Call Us Today for a FREE Consultation

Drug Crimes

Drug Crimes Charges in Los Angeles County

People are Charged Every Day with Crimes Involving Illegal Drugs

Most of the time, if someone hears you say “drug crimes” then they will assume that you are talking about illegal or “street drugs.” And it is certainly true that in Los Angeles, people are charged every day with crimes involving illegal drugs such as:
 
  • Cocaine
  • Ecstasy
  • Heroin
  • Methamphetamines (“crystal meth”)
And many more. These crimes can encompass everything from simple possession, to production and manufacturing, to sale and trafficking. These are serious charges that have the potential for life-altering consequences.
 

Prescription Drugs are also Controlled Substances

However, drug crimes charges can also be made for a variety of situations that pertain specifically to prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are also controlled substances, and their distribution and use is strictly regulated. That is, after all, why a prescription is required to obtain them in the first place! Some commonly abused prescription drugs include:
 
  • Anti-anxiety medications like Ativan, Valium, and Xanax
  • Narcotic painkillers such as Hydrocodone, Morphine, Oxycontin, Percocet, and Vicodin
Criminal charges related to prescription drugs include possessing prescription drugs without a valid prescription, selling or giving drugs to individuals who do not have a prescription (a.k.a. trafficking), and prescription fraud. Prescription fraud includes altering or forging prescription slips, stealing blank prescription slips, and “ obtaining a prescription for the same drug from more than one doctor (also called “doctor shopping”).

Straddling the line between street drugs and prescription drugs you have marijuana. While “medical marijuana” is legal at the state level, it is illegal at the federal level. And of course anyone possessing, producing, or selling marijuana not in accordance with state law may still be charged with state-level crimes, many of which are considered felonies.
 

Having Your Case Properly Timed and Presented can have a Huge Impact

Drug crimes defense can be extremely technical. Options such as rehab or substance abuse counseling have the potential to mitigate the severity of the penalties you are facing. However, having your case properly timed and presented can have a huge impact on the outcome.

The criminal justice system is complex and unwieldy. It is easy to feel that the system isn’t fair or that the deck is stacked against you. That’s why qualified representation is so important to these cases. We have helped hundreds of clients resolve their drug crimes charges and keep felonies off their records. If you are facing drug crimes charges in Los Angeles, call us for your free consultation as soon as possible.