San Francisco Drug Defense Attorney: Ready to Protect Your Rights
Facing drug charges? Whether or not you believe you did something wrong, you may require the services of a San Francisco drug defense attorney to secure your continuing freedom.
Why You May Need a San Francisco Drug Defense Attorney
A San Francisco drug defense attorney can help individuals who have been accused of or charged with a drug violation under criminal law. They may be able to have charges dropped, reduced, or suggest drug treatment rather than a harsh sentence for first-time offenders. It isn’t always evident whether a drug is illegal or not. Generally, it depends on how much you have and how you are using it.
The federal government has strict laws regarding drug use under the Controlled Substances Act. The Justice Department prosecutes criminal cases in which illegal drugs are sold, distributed, or used. The department also has charged drug manufacturers, doctors, pharmacists, and others involved with the drug trade.
Although local district attorneys or federal prosecutors file criminal charges, anyone dealing with drugs may face personal injury claims as well. If you have been injured due to someone else’s illegal drug use, you should contact personal injury attorneys in San Francisco.
If you are accused of illegally possessing, selling, or trafficking drugs, you need criminal defense lawyers who can help you. Experienced legal counsel at the Law Office of Valery Nechay will help protect your rights and maintain your privacy.
Choosing the Right Drug Defense Lawyer in San Mateo County
Legal advice from a drug defense lawyer is essential to your criminal case. Since the laws pertaining to drug charges vary, individuals accused of abusing controlled substances, such as amphetamines, are often subjected to federal and specific state laws about how they control drug use.
An experienced criminal defense attorney understands that there are several differences between state and federal regulations. Generally, federal drug charges carry more weight than state infractions. For example, drug trafficking is often considered a federal charge since it involves crossing state lines. Possession of a controlled substance, however, is usually prosecuted on the state level.
Typically, a federal drug charge (as opposed to a state) will carry significantly harsher punishments. It is more common to see federal drug convictions concerning drug trafficking, while state convictions are commonly associated with drug possession.
The Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in San Francisco for Drug Charges
The best defense attorneys in San Francisco for drug charges will compile the right legal strategy that focuses on the specific details of the case. If you are charged with possessing or distributing illegal drugs, you face a range of possible penalties, including a criminal record.
Skilled attorneys understand this fear and will work hard to help you devise a defense for your circumstances. If an officer accuses you of a crime related to drugs, immediately reach out to a San Francisco drug defense attorney from a reputable firm. The more quickly your San Francisco County lawyer has access to your information obtained from police officers, the sooner they can begin working on your criminal case.
How the Best Drug Defense Attorney Can Help You
If you are wondering how a drug defense attorney can help you, consider that a San Francisco criminal lawyer can help you with the following other issues that often come hand-in-hand with drug crime:
- Computer crimes
- White-collar crimes
- Domestic violence cases
- Sex crimes
- Theft crimes
- Violent crimes
Drug crimes can be charged as either misdemeanor cases or felony cases, depending on the circumstances. The severity of your criminal charges will determine which type of defense you should consider.
Top Drug Defense Attorney in San Francisco
When choosing the top drug defense attorney in San Francisco, it’s important to understand how severe your charges are. The range for this depends on what type of drugs you allegedly possess, the amount, and your perceived intent for having said drugs. Other things your lawyer will appraise you regarding your criminal cases include:
- Whether you have a criminal record for drugs.
- Different drugs are classified differently, so it depends on what substance of which you were in possession.
- Whether you intended to distribute or sell the substances.
If you have baggies, large amounts of money, scales, or other drug paraphernalia, you will likely face a harsher penalty in court.
Drug Criminal Defense Attorney Strategy
If you are accused of a crime that consists of or includes controlled substances, you want a successful strategy from a drug crime defense attorney. A solid drug diversion plan provided by law offices that thoroughly understand Northern California defense strategies can help you battle a variety of criminal matters.
When retaining the legal services of a San Francisco office because of possession or trafficking of a controlled substance, it is crucial to have your case handled by experienced criminal defense lawyers rather than a deputy public defender. They will meticulously search through the information provided by the district attorney to determine a plan that may include the following factors:
- Entrapment has occurred
- Impossible to determine who possessed the drugs
- Inaccurate lab analysis
- Insufficient evidence
- Law enforcement officers planted the drugs
- Unlawful search and seizure, which is a violation of the Fourth Amendment
If you face criminal charges in San Francisco, CA, you need a criminal defense law firm that you can rely on. Call the office of Valery Nechay today.
Crimes That Require a Defense Attorney for Drug Charges
Criminal defense attorneys for drug charges can be invaluable assets when striving to battle your case and protect your future. They might be able to have the criminal charges reduced or thrown out for manufacturing, possession, and sales of the following controlled substances:
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Crack
- Ecstasy
- Heroin
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Methadone
- Methamphetamines
- Morphine
This is a limited list, as many other substances qualify and should be evaluated carefully by your San Francisco drug defense attorney.
Under California’s FFOA and Proposition 36, if you face a charge of simple drug possession, treatment may be an option rather than jail time if it’s your first offense. Your attorney will be able to advise whether this is an option for you.
California Drug Possession Charges
Cocaine is an illegal drug and commonly used recreational drug. Contrary to popular belief, cocaine does have a medically-accepted use; however, its value is minimal. Due to its highly-addictive nature, cocaine is listed as a Schedule II drug at the federal level.
Simple cocaine possession charges in California are considered a misdemeanor. But, some offenders may face felony charges for simple possession, including a jail time of up to three years if they have a criminal record involving certain serious felony convictions. That is also the case with Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA or ecstasy.
Fentanyl has a significant medical use as a painkiller. But it is also a controlled substance since its recreational use can be dangerous and addictive. If an individual is caught with fentanyl without a prescription, they can be charged with simple possession or possession with an intent to sell. While simple possession is a misdemeanor, possession with intent to sell carries jail time of between 16 months and three years.
It’s similar to ketamine, which also has a solid medical acceptance. But, if you are arrested with large amounts of the drug, that can lead to criminal charges for possession, trafficking, or possession with an intent to sell.
When it comes to psilocybin mushrooms, they are a controlled substance. Possession of large quantities, such as several pounds of this controlled substance, is considered a felony in California. Possession with intent to sell them is also considered a felony, and diversionary programs aren’t available.
Best Attorney for Drug Charges in San Francisco
When looking for the best attorney for drug charges in San Francisco, you want legal advice from an office that takes drug crimes very seriously. If a police officer has accused you of one or more drug crimes, you need a San Francisco, California, lawyer who specializes in that area.
When initially meeting with your drug crime counsel, there are several questions you should ask.
- Are there any expert witnesses?
- Do you believe you can reduce my charges?
- How often do you intend to update me about my case?
- What are my case’s strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your legal strategies?
- What is your experience with drug crimes?
- What sort of fee structure do you use?
During the consultation, a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer will ask for additional information that may become another legal matter. These might include where and when you were charged and whether you have a criminal record that involves or may be caused by drugs, such as domestic violence or theft.
Consult the Best Criminal Defense Attorney for Drug Cases
Having the assistance of a criminal defense attorney who’s well-versed in drug cases can help you identify the many legal decisions that lie ahead of you. When you understand the strategy your lawyer is preparing for your case, you will have a better idea of what to expect from the prosecution’s case against you in the court process, providing peace of mind regarding the legal matters in these practice areas.
Call the Law Office of Valery Nechay at 650-761-0148 or fill out the contact form today to get the ball rolling! You will be forever grateful.
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