Drug Crime Penalties

Orange County Drug Crime Attorney

It is impossible to say exactly what penalties may be enforced due to an Orange County, California drug crime conviction without a thorough review of a case and the criminal charges that a defendant may face. Even then, the judge may have some discretion in determining what sentence is imposed. Generally speaking however, the penalties for a drug crime conviction will vary not only depending on the specific offense itself (such as simple possession versus drug trafficking) but also on the type of drug and the amount.

Drugs are classified according to schedules, with the most dangerous categorized as Schedule I, slightly less dangerous as Schedule II, and so on. Controlled substances are classified in this way according to their medical benefits (if any), potential danger, and potential to cause addition or abuse. Cocaine, ecstasy and heroin, for example, are most often considered more dangerous than marijuana, anabolic steroids or other substances. As such, a simple marijuana possession charge may be a misdemeanor offense in California, whereas possession of cocaine or heroin in any amount is a felony offense.

For more information about drug crime penalties that may be enforced, we highly recommend that you contact an Orange County drug crime lawyer at our firm for a free consultation.

Alternative Sentencing in California

In some cases, a defendant may qualify for alternative sentencing. This applies under Proposition 36, also called the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act. According to this Act, a defendant facing first or second time non-violent drug charges may qualify for rehabilitation or treatment in lieu of jail time.

At the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah, we represent clients throughout all of Orange County in the face of their drug crime charges. Contact a drug crime defense attorney at our firm today for your free case evaluation.