The attorneys at the Bakersfield law office of Thompson Law handle all manner of criminal defense in Kern and Tulare counties, from DUI to homicide, juvenile delinquency to violent felonies, and drug crimes. Drug offenses are of particular concern in the area, with law enforcement and prosecutors especially focused on finding violations of drug laws and prosecuting suspected crimes to the full extent of the law.
The California Uniform Controlled Substances Act lists numerous drugs and illegal substances on its schedules, including street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, LSD, heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as prescription drugs and painkillers such as Oxycontin which are illegal when sold or obtained without a valid prescription.
Conviction of a drug offense such as possession with intent to distribute, cultivation, manufacturing, sale or trafficking, can result in long prison sentences. Prosecutors have wide latitude concerning what charges to bring and what penalties to seek, and even people with no prior convictions charged with possessing relatively small amounts of drugs can still face serious prison time if convicted.
Drug Courts and Diversion Programs
Since 2000, with the passage of Proposition 36, first-time and second-time offenders of nonviolent possession offenses, whether misdemeanors or felonies, can be sentenced to a substance abuse treatment program instead of jail. California operates many different types of drug courts, such as adult drug courts, juvenile drug courts, and dependency drug courts, with different rules and procedures for each model. Besides post-adjudication models that require a conviction and sentencing to treatment, there are ways to avoid conviction or even prosecution. If a pre-plea or drug diversion program is in place, one may be able to avoid prosecution by agreeing to participate in treatment. In other situations, one may enter a plea but have the charges dismissed upon completion of the program.
Where drug courts are an option in your case, we will review with you the pros and cons of participating in the program versus going to trial and help you to make an informed decision that is in your overall best interests.
Sound Advice, Aggressive Representation
If you have been charged with a drug crime, the stakes are almost always quite serious. There may be constitutional issues and defenses regarding how the government has built its case. At Thompson Law, we investigate every aspect of your arrest to determine the best possible strategy in your particular case, from entering into plea negotiations to mounting a vigorous defense at trial. We will lay out all the options and make sure you understand them so that you can make the best decision in your particular case. Before you talk to the police, always talk to an attorney. Contact Thompson Law for a free consultation or immediate assistance in your criminal law matter.
