Drug crimes are immersed in and defined by one of the most clouded areas of the law. As new scientific experiments and studies emerge every year about illegal substances, legislators are continually reevaluating what should and should not be outlawed. Even today, in late 2015*, marijuana is systematically being decriminalized around the United States, despite it still being considered a Schedule 1 drug – a substance with no medical use, high chance of addiction, and devastating health side-effects.
*UPDATE: The responsible adult use of marijuana was legalized in California on November 8, 2016 with the passing of Prop 64, The Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
With so many viewpoints shifting and new evidence appearing regularly, it can be understandably difficult to comprehend drug crimes in your state. If you have been arrested for such a violation in California and do not know how you can defend yourself against the harsh criminal justice system, learning more about the potential charges could prove invaluable.
- Possession: Having an illicit substance on your person. You may also be charged for possession if a drug is on your property in an area you control, such as your bedroom.
- Distribution: Moving or transporting, or aiding in the transportation, of illegal drugs. This can be as subtle as simply handing off a small bag of drugs to another person.
- Trafficking: Similar to distribution but typically involves either careful forethought and planning (conspiracy), or the actual sale of an illicit substance for profit or nonmonetary gain.
- Manufacturing: Creating illegal drugs or controlled substances without a proper license. Cultivating herbal drugs – such as cannabis or hemp – is also considered manufacturing.
How Can You Defend Yourself Against Drug Charges?
If you have been charged with any one or a combination of the aforementioned drug crimes, you are undoubtedly wondering where to turn and what to do next. The legalese in legislation can sometimes feel intentionally geared towards leaving you in the dark if you do not have full familiarity with the law.
Rather than trying to piece together the puzzle of litigation yourself, call our Santa Rosa drug crime attorney any day, any hour at (707) 636-3204. With a long list of happy client testimonials and years spent growing a strong reputation in the Bay Area, you can be sure that a Sonoma County criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. will take your case seriously and prepare a case that addresses your best interests and needs.
Do not hesitate any longer. Contact us today.