Orange County Drug Crime Attorney
Experienced Drug Crime Defense in OC
Effective drug crime defense in California requires extensive experience with the state's drug laws. At the Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman, you can work with an attorney with a reputation for success and a long history of challenging the prosecution in high-stakes cases, including drug crimes. Attorney Jacqueline Goodman can take a detailed approach to reviewing the evidence against you to protect your rights and help you avoid the serious consequences of a conviction. She knows a solid defense involves a great deal of work, like filing motions before the court and investigating sources of alleged evidence, but she never backs down from a case when things get complicated.
Jacqueline Goodman is an experienced Orange County drug crime lawyer who is not intimidated by the courtroom. She has an exceptional reputation for moving her cases towards the best outcome possible instead of accepting the first plea bargain offered by the prosecution. You can rest assured that your best interests are always the immediate and center focus when she is on the case.
Reasons to choose Attorney Jacqueline Goodman for your counsel:
- Recipient of a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating
- Backed by more than 20 years of experience
- Admitted to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
- Permanently named on the Wall of Recognition at the National Constitution Center
Criminal cases are often complicated. There are two sides to every story, and it is important that the court sees the situation clearly. We can help defend you in your criminal case and make sure your perspective is heard.
TYPES OF DRUG OFFENSES
A drug crime refers to any criminal offense related to the possession, manufacturing, distribution, trafficking, or abuse of controlled substances or illegal drugs. These offenses are typically outlined in state and federal drug laws, and penalties can vary depending on factors such as the type and quantity of drugs involved, the intent of the individual, and whether the offense is a first-time or repeat occurrence.
In California, common types of drug crimes include:
- Possession of Controlled Substances: It is illegal to possess drugs classified as controlled substances without a valid prescription. This offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the type and quantity of the substance.
- Possession for Sale: If someone is found with a significant quantity of drugs and there is evidence to suggest an intent to sell, they may be charged with possession for sale. The penalties for this offense are more severe than simple possession.
- Drug Manufacturing: Manufacturing drugs, such as methamphetamine or ecstasy, is a felony in California. This includes producing, synthesizing, or cultivating controlled substances.
- Prescription Drug Fraud: Illegally obtaining or distributing prescription drugs, such as through forged prescriptions or doctor shopping, is considered prescription drug fraud.
- Drug Distribution in or Near Schools: California law imposes harsher penalties for drug offenses that occur in or near school zones, aiming to protect children from exposure to illegal substances.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: Possessing items used for drug use or distribution, such as pipes or syringes, can lead to charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Conspiracy to Commit Drug Crimes: Planning or conspiring with others to commit drug-related offenses can result in conspiracy charges, even if the actual crime does not occur.
- Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance: Being under the influence of drugs in public is also a crime in California, even if there is no evidence of possession.
REAL PEOPLE. REAL RESULTS.
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CASE DISMISSEDCASE DISMISSED
CHILD ENDANGERMENT / CRUELTY
Penal Code 273a(b) Child endangerment/cruelty.
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CASE DISMISSEDCASE DISMISSED
CHILD MOLESTATION
Child molestation: Felony.
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CASE DISMISSEDCASE DISMISSED
PROBATION VIOLATION
PC 1203.2 Committing a new crime or violating any term or condition of probation.
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CASE DISMISSEDCASE DISMISSED
ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER
Los Angeles Arrest Pre-filing representation on Attempted murder of police officer, assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer.
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CASE DISMISSEDCASE DISMISSED
CONTEMPT OF COURT ORDER
Contempt of court order by a gang member.
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CASE DISMISSEDCASE DISMISSED
CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE
Child Sex Abuse case dismissed.
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 36
Much like PC 1000, Prop 36 is a legal tool that allows a defendant to escape incarceration on specified drug offenses, participate in treatment and rehabilitation, and, upon successful completion, obtain the dismissal of the case. Prop 36 is less advantageous to the defendant in a legal sense, but the treatment is more tailored to the needs of the defendant, and inpatient treatment is available. If you think utilizing Prop 36 could be a good resolution to your drug crimes case, let Attorney Goodman know. Likewise, she will let you know if that seems like a positive choice.
FIGHTING FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS
Any drug crime case can become complicated by or center on forfeiture proceedings and how the state carried them out. You may be forced to forfeit what the government perceives as ill-gotten possessions as your drug crime case develops, or right at the beginning of it. Even if there is no substantial evidence to validate the forfeiture of your property, it can still happen.
Possessions often seized in a drug crime case include:
- Automobiles
- Homes
- Cash
- Expensive luxury items
DRUG CRIME LAWS FAQ'S
Orange County, CA
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Can I be arrested for possessing a drug I didn't use?
If you are caught in the possession of a controlled substance, you can be charged with a crime even if you have not taken the drug. However, you will not necessarily go to jail. You might be able to avoid jail by paying fines, entering treatment for drug addiction, or going through drug rehabilitation.
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Can I be charged with drug possession for legal prescription drugs?
Many people are surprised to learn that the answer to this question is yes. You can be charged with possession if you are caught with certain medications without a prescription. Even if you have medication such as Vicodin or codeine simply for personal use, you may still find yourself facing serious charges if they are not your own prescription.
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What does DEJ stand for?
DEJ stands for "Deferred Entry of Judgment." If you have been charged with a drug crime for the first time, this is a program that allows for your case to be dismissed as long as you complete a drug program and are not charged with any other crimes within a certain period of time following your original charges.
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What is Proposition 36?
In 2000, California passed Proposition 36 to help drug offenders who are ineligible for the DEJ program. The purpose of Proposition 36 is to provide education and treatment for drug offenders rather than putting them in jail. If you qualify for Proposition 36, you may be able to get your case dismissed by completing a drug program and pleading guilty to the original drug charges.
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Will I be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia for having legal household items?
Unfortunately, yes. There are certain household items that are also classified as drug paraphernalia, such as flashlights, highlighters, and pagers that are used to communicate drug trafficking efforts in some cases. You can be charged with possession of illegal paraphernalia if the prosecution can prove that the items in question were used in connection to a crime.
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What are some of the defense strategies for a possession charge?
At The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman, Attorney Goodman knows how to scrutinize your case to identify areas where the police made mistakes or acted inappropriately. For example, law enforcement officers will often ignore the California rules of search and seizure when investigating the activities of suspects. In other situations, she may be able to prove that your arrest was the result of invalid "confidential police informants" or that you were set up in a way that violated California's entrapment laws.
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Will a drug arrest affect my immigration case?
If you are a noncitizen and are arrested for a drug crime in California, you may face deportation, exclusion, or loss of a visa or green card status, regardless of whether or not you are convicted. You need a lawyer who understands both criminal and immigration law if you are in this situation. The right attorney can fight to keep you from being deported from the United States and can keep you from losing your opportunity to gain citizenship.
THE LAW OFFICE OF JACQUELINE GOODMAN
drug crime legal counsel
Taking the case to trial is not always in the defendant's best interest, and if the prosecution does not dismiss your case, a plea agreement may be negotiated. Attorney Goodman has a record of being able to negotiate alternatives to jail such as rehabilitation and counseling for drug crime defense clients in Fullerton and throughout Orange County. For certain specified drug offenses, a defendant may be eligible to participate in a DEJ (PC 1000) program, in which criminal proceedings are suspended for a prescribed time on the condition that the defendant completes an outpatient drug treatment program. Upon completion of the program, the case is dismissed.
If you've been charged with a drug offense or with a crime relating to California's medical marijuana dispensary laws, contact Orange County drug crime defense Attorney Jacqueline Goodman right away. With her knowledge gained as a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, she is more prepared to take your case than most criminal defense attorneys in the country can claim. After all, you deserve a fighter in your corner because sometimes bad things happen to good people, but they still deserve the right to defend themselves.
Attorney Goodman is dedicated to protecting her clients’ rights to privacy and private possessions. If your property has been wrongfully forfeited by local or federal law enforcement, let her know right away by dialing (714) 266-3945