CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Cocaine

Cocaine Laws in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know

Cocaine laws in Los Angeles are heavily enforced by federal, state, and local authorities. The penalties for possessing, selling, or smuggling cocaine can be extremely harsh. If you’ve been caught with even a small amount of cocaine, it can potentially cripple your future. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand the laws related to cocaine in Los Angeles to avoid criminal prosecution.

Cocaine Sales and Possession: Understanding the Law

Drug crimes are taken very seriously by authorities in California, and cocaine frequently leads to other types of crimes, such as theft and violent crimes, due to its highly addictive nature. In Los Angeles, possession of cocaine used to be classified as a felony; however, towards the end of 2014, possession of cocaine was reclassified as a misdemeanor drug crime.

There are several types of cocaine charges that one could face. The most common is cocaine possession. Under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, cocaine is classified as a Schedule 2 drug, which means that it’s highly addictive. The penalties for getting convicted for possessing cocaine can be quite severe. If you’re facing possession of cocaine in Los Angeles, you could spend up to a year in the county jail and face a fine of $1,000. You could also end up with community service, summary probation, and a criminal record. Moreover, you might also have to attend a drug education program.

On the other hand, if you’re convicted of felony cocaine possession, the penalties are significantly harsher. If you have prior felonies on your record, a misdemeanor cocaine possession could be prosecuted as a felonious offense. The penalties for a conviction of possession with the intent to sell cocaine are even worse. You could be charged with this crime based on the amount of cocaine in your possession and how the substance is packaged. To further complicate matters, common tools that are used to package and sell cocaine can be used as evidence against you. Moreover, the potential penalties for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell include a fine of $20,000, up to four years in prison, formal probation, felony criminal record, and community service. In some cases, your property and money could also be seized.

The Importance of Having a Reputable Lawyer

All types of cocaine charges need proper representation, and you deserve to be represented by a highly-reputable, focused lawyer in Los Angeles. If you want to protect your interests, you need to take proactive steps. The first step should be to contact a reliable lawyer and discuss your situation in detail.

A conviction for any type of cocaine charge can have devastating consequences for your future. Not only may it be difficult for you to find a job and provide for your loved ones properly, but you might also end up with a criminal record, formal probation, and community service. Therefore, it’s highly advised that you seek legal representation, even if it’s your first time being arrested for a drug crime. A qualified lawyer can help you protect your interests, and they can even help individuals with previous drug convictions.

Our lawyers at L.A. Defense have helped numerous clients facing various cocaine charges. We’ll assess your situation and discuss all the possible options that we have at our disposal. With our legal expertise and guidance, we’ll work closely with you and fight for the possible outcome. Do not hesitate to contact us today to discuss your situation.