Los Angeles Drug Crime Lawyer

Sometimes Bad Things Happen to Good People

You Need Jacqueline On Your Side

I am committed to providing my clients with the trusted counsel and aggressive defense they deserve. I believe in redemption and helping people get second chances. I devote a significant portion of my practice to criminal justice reform and I have provided pro bono representation in impact litigation to change the laws to benefit every Californian.

No one is perfect, and everyone has flaws. A mistake should not define you, and our Orange County criminal defense attorney is ready to fight to protect your future, no matter the charges. Attorney Jacqueline Goodman is here to get you out of this difficult situation and put you back in the position you were in before your trouble started!

Types of Drug Crimes in California

California regularly prosecutes several types of drug crimes, which can vary in severity. Generally, possessing or contributing to the distribution or creation of a controlled substance can lead to criminal charges.

An individual can be charged with drug possession if they are found to be in possession of an illegal drug. Under California law, possession can take many forms: “actual” and “constructive.” Actual possession means that the person has direct physical control over the drugs at the time of the offense. Constructive possession indicates that although the person did not have direct physical control over the drugs, they knew about their presence and had some measure of control over them. In practice, this means that someone could be arrested for drug possession if controlled substances are found in their home or vehicle, even if the individual did not have the drug in their actual possession at the time. Regardless of whether the possession was actual or constructive, the type and amount of drug possessed typically determines the severity of the charges and punishments if convicted.

Possession with intent to distribute occurs when an individual has control or ownership of a controlled substance and intends to sell, deliver, or facilitate the sale or delivery of the substance to another person. An actual delivery or exchange of drugs for money does not have to be completed for the act to be considered a crime. Simply intending to distribute can lead to an arrest.

Drug manufacturing is the process of producing, producing concentration, or compounding any controlled substance with the intention to distribute. This includes activities such as synthesizing a drug from chemical components, processing and packaging large amounts of drugs for distribution, and creating a new product from an existing controlled substance. Playing any role in the manufacturing of drugs is strictly illegal in California, even if done exclusively for personal use. This includes growing more marijuana than legally permitted.

How Can California Proposition 36 Affect Drug Crime Cases?

Proposition 36, or Prop 36, is an initiative in the state of California that allows those charged with certain drug offenses to explore alternative options instead of facing imprisonment. By successfully completing treatment and rehabilitation programs, defendants may be able to have their charges dismissed and avoid jail or prison time. This course of action might not be the most ideal legal solution, but it could be a viable option depending on the circumstances. An experienced Los Angeles drug crime attorney can help evaluate a defendant’s qualifications for Prop 36 relief and determine if it is the right path forward.