California Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers

Expert defense by former cops & prosecutors….for people charged with possession, sales, transportation, manufacturing or trafficking narcotics

Our California drug crimes defense attorneys represent clients accused of drug and narcotics charges throughout the state, including Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Whether you’re charged with large-scale drug trafficking or simple possession of a controlled substance, our narcotics attorneys draw on years of experience as cops and prosecutors. We can help you fight the charges and, if necessary, secure an effective drug treatment program.

Lead criminal defense attorney Neil Shouse is a former drugs crime prosecutor who worked closely with the DEA, narcotics units and special undercover police teams. He prosecuted every type of narcotics case, from methamphetamine labs and major drug dealers to possession and under the influence cases. Now California narcotics lawyer Neil Shouse uses his insider experience to help clients fight criminal drug charges.

Identifying where the cops went wrong

In making drug busts, narcotics officers frequently violate California entrapment laws, they rely on bogus "confidential police informants", or they use illegal tactics to obtain a California search warrant. Often the police lie or exaggerate in their reports, or they file a case with insufficient evidence that the drugs even belonged to the "suspect."

Our California drugs crimes lawyers know how to scrutinize the case for police mistakes and misconduct. Moreover, we know how to exploit problems in the prosecution’s case to your advantage.

The most common types of cases we handle include:

Health & Safety Code 11350 HS | Possession of a Controlled Substance

Health & Safety Code 11350 makes it a felony to possess narcotics such as cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, GHB and even prescription drugs such as Vicodin or Codeine (if they’re not lawfully prescribed). A person convicted of "possession of a controlled substance" faces up to three years California state prison. But most people accused of this crime are eligible for Proposition 36 or PC 1000 drug diversion.

Health & Safety Code 11351 HS | Possession for Sale of Narcotics

Health & Safety Code 11351 makes it a felony to possess illegal drugs for the purpose of selling them. This crime is more serious than simple possession, and does not qualify for Proposition 36 or PC 1000 drug diversion.

In assessing whether a suspect possessed narcotics for the purpose of sales, cops and prosecutors will look to the quantity of the drugs, packaging in numerous separate baggies or bindles, scales, and weapons and/or large sums of cash. But unfortunately many innocent people get accused of HS 11351 when, in fact, they only possessed the drugs for personal use.

Moreover, cops often use faulty information, unreliable police informants and even outright lies to obtain California search warrants. If our drug crimes defense lawyers can show that a search warrant was improperly obtained, most likely we can get the evidence suppressed and the entire case dismissed.

Health & Safety Code 11352 HS | Sale or Transportation of a Controlled Substance

Health & Safety Code 11352 makes it a felony to sell, furnish, administer, give away, transport or import into California an illegal narcotic. Many of the HS 11352 cases arise out of undercover sting operations in which a decoy officer engages in a "controlled buy." Sometimes these stings run afoul of California entrapment laws and should be dismissed for that reason.

In some cases, officers claim to have witnessed a drug deal from an observation post or a disguised location. But in reality, many suspects arrested for "selling drugs" were really just the buyers, or were not even involved in a drug deal at all.

Health & Safety Code 11377 makes it a crime to possess methamphetamine (also known as meth, crystal meth or speed). This offense is a wobbler, which means prosecutors have the discretion to file it as a misdemeanor or a felony.

The district attorney usually decides this based on (1) the amount of methamphetamine involved, and (2) the person’s criminal history. A person accused of HS 11377 typically qualifies for Proposition 36 or PC 1000 drug diversion.

Health & Safety Code 11550 HS | Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

Health & Safety Code 11550 makes it a misdemeanor crime to "use" or "be under the influence of" a controlled substance. This includes illicit narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and GHB. It can also include prescription drugs such as xanax or valium, if the person does not have a valid prescription.

A conviction for HS 11550 carries a mandatory minimum penalty / sentencing of 90 days in county jail. But most people charged with the offense do qualify for Proposition 36 or drug diversion under PC 1000.

California DUI of Drugs Cases

California Vehicle Code 23152(a) prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The police can arrest you for driving under the influence of drugs, even lawfully prescribed ones, if the drug has impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. However, many people get wrongfully accused of this crime and it may be possible to get the charges reduced or dismissed. Our attorneys can help you with any type of DUI of drugs case, including DUI of Marijuana, DUI of Vicodin and DUI of Ambien or Lunesta.

California Marijuana Laws

Marijuana is a harmless substance with legitimate and proven medical benefits. Nevertheless, California marijuana law still makes it a crime to cultivate, sell, possess or use the substance. Proposition 215 provides limited exceptions. The penalties for possession of a small quantity of marijuana are light, and often merely entail a small fine. But cultivation, sale or transportation of marijuana are serious felonies in California, and can land a person in state prison.

We’ve enjoyed substantial success getting marijuana charges reduced or dismissed, and many times getting wrongfully-seized marijuana returned to the client.

If you or a loved one is accused of a narcotics-related crime, we urge you to come and speak with one of our California drug crimes defense lawyers. We may be able to help you get the charges reduced or dismissed, and keep the person out of jail.

Join us to discuss your criminal case at any of our
local offices: You can also contact us 24/7 at
888.327.4652 for a free consultation