Defending a Drug Charge in Los Angeles
Fortunately, with the passage of several propositions and the evolving mindset of law enforcement and the judiciary towards drug crimes in Los Angeles, there's a noticeable shift. Many drug-related offenses can now be addressed in a more lenient manner than in the past, offering a glimmer of hope for those facing such charges.
Still, people who are selling drugs, using weapons, and who the police, prosecutors, and judges consider the most dangerous criminals are still being treated harshly and are still being prosecuted.
For individuals more inclined towards drug use than profiteering, the legal landscape is much more favorable, especially with a competent attorney by their side. These attorneys can leverage the programs established by the Propositions, empowering their clients to navigate the legal system effectively and providing a strong sense of reassurance in the face of legal challenges.
Drug Diversion Programs
Over the last twenty-five years, I've seen prosecutors be very tough on drug crimes. However, since the Propositions passed, they realized society didn't want this. Society doesn't want people going to prison for drug possession cases. These Propositions, [insert brief explanation of the Propositions], have significantly changed the legal landscape for drug-related offenses in Los Angeles.
They don't want people cramming up all of our prisons, so they can't put any of the violent offenders in there. So, suppose we can get your case in that pocket of cases that are being treated much better; many times, we can avoid convictions.
By participating in these programs, we can often steer clear of convictions and subsequent jail time, preserving our reputation and future. This relief can alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies drug-related offenses, offering a glimmer of hope and motivating individuals to take proactive steps in their defense.
We can do one of these diversion programs or deferred entry of judgment resolutions, which allows you to get a dismissal and, a lot of times, will enable you to do everything possible to protect your criminal record, which is crucial.
These programs are designed to provide an alternative to incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation and treatment. Nobody wants to have some drug charge on their criminal record. Nobody wants to go to jail behind a drug-related charge;
Convincing the prosecutors and judge that you need to be taken care of related to the law because you're not a lousy danger to the community. Another thing that is important in these drug-related offenses is that whatever punishment you get, you stay out of jail because jail is a big issue for people.
They have lives, jobs, and families. One thing we should focus on is keeping individuals out of jail related to some drug-related offenses.
Filing Legal Motions
The last thing that needs to be discussed when discussing how to handle a drug-related offense in Los Angeles is whether any motions can be filed to help the defendant. For example, suppose the police just come up to you and illegally stop you.
In that case, we can file a motion arguing that it's an illegal stop, and any search that flowed from that stop, and they found anything shouldn't be able to be used against the person because they have Fourth Amendment rights against being unreasonably stopped.
If the police illegally search someone's car or get a search warrant for the person's home and find a bunch of drugs or guns or anything like that, a lot of times, we're looking at did they have probable cause to be able to do that search of the car?
Probable cause, which refers to the reasonable belief that a crime has been or is being committed, is a crucial factor in drug-related cases. Did they have probable cause to get that search warrant and search the person's home?
These are all issues that we consider when defending drug-related offenses in Los Angeles because, often, we can use these issues to get the case dismissed or mitigate the case to something less than what you're charged with, putting you in a position to protect your rights, your freedom, your reputation, and your criminal record. This potential for case dismissal can empower you in your defense.
So, if you've been charged with a drug-related offense in Los Angeles County, it's crucial to seek the guidance of a criminal defense lawyer at our office. A skilled lawyer can assess your case, advise you on your legal options, and design a comprehensive plan that considers everything related to your case and life. Give me a call, and we can talk about it.
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