Anaheim Drug Crime Defense Lawyers
Anaheim Drug Crime
ANAHEIM RESOURCES
Drug crime is prevalent not only in Anaheim, but across the United States. As such, police vice and narcotics divisions work to prevent further crimes and imprison those involved on all levels of the drug trade. Any association with illegal substances in Southern California, from possession to manufacturing to distribution, is met with heavy fines and lengthy prison stays. When a person is arrested for a drug crime in Anaheim, they must contend with many aspects of the justice system, which seeks to not only fight against individuals, but the drug trade as a whole. A guilty verdict for a drug crime not only results in harsh penalties, but creates a stigma around those convicted; this can make finding and retaining gainful employment difficult long after a person has carried out his or her sentence.
Illegal Substances under California Law
Controlled substances come in a variety of categories and include naturally occurring substances which have narcotic effects, man-made narcotics, and prescription drugs illegally used for their narcotic effect. While the majority of naturally occurring drugs found to be illegal have already been classified and categorized under both national and state penal codes, new artificially-created drugs are continually being created. As such, the chemical compounds used to create the various forms of these drugs are rendered illegal under California's Health and Safety Code.
Major recreational drugs fall under five categories based on their effects. These categories are:
- Opioids – such as heroin and opium;
- Depressants – including barbiturates and alcohol;
- Stimulants – such as cocaine and amphetamines;
- Entactogens- the most well-known of which is ecstacy; and
- Hallucinogens – which has various subcategories and includes LSD, PCP, and marijuana.
Anaheim Drug Crime Penalties
Under California law, the various types of illegal drugs each have their own penalties that result in varied levels of fines and imprisonment. For example, those found guilty of crimes associated with cocaine cannot be charged under the penalties for amphetamines, even though they are both stimulants. In addition, some drugs are subject to much harsher penalties than others. In addition, the location of a drug crime, such as near a school, or the age of those involved, such as selling illegal drugs to minors, can result in further penalties. Those found guilty of such crimes in Anaheim can be imprisoned in Orange County jails or various California prisons depending on the severity and length of the prison sentence.
Drug Possession vs. Drug Trafficking
In all drug crimes, charges can be related to either possession of illegal substances or various instances of drug trafficking. Charges for drug possession are split into levels based on the amount of the drug that a defendant had, with each form of drug having various level distinctions. The same is true for various types of drug trafficking; however, distinct aspects of drug trafficking include manufacture, sale, possession with intent to sell, and distribution. Each of these crimes have their own penalties and are often charged in conjunction with other crimes, resulting in multiple fines and consecutive prison sentences.
Anaheim Crime Legal Representation
Anaheim drug crime defense attorney Jeremy Goldman continually works to protect his clients' rights as they face harsh and long-lasting penalties for crimes throughout Orange County. The skilled law team at The Law Offices of Jeremy Goldman has the years of experience necessary for successfully defending clients in Southern California courts. For more information on our law team and a consultation on your Anaheim drug crime case, call our offices at (800) 349-1619.
