Drug Crimes

“Drug Crimes” is a general term used to describe a variety of offenses involving controlled substances. Under California Law, there are four main types of drug charges:

• Drug Possession: having drugs for personal use, being under the influence of a drug and possessing drug-related paraphernalia.
• Drug Possession for Sale: possessing or buying illegal drugs intending to sell them.
• Drug Trafficking: transporting, importing and selling/distribution of controlled substances or aiding, abetting and conspiring with anyone to sell or purchase illegal drugs.
• Drug Manufacturing: planting, cultivating or harvesting marijuana; manufacturing illegal drugs (such as methamphetamine or rock cocaine) or possessing the chemicals necessary to manufacture illegal drugs.

Drug crime penalties include incarceration, forfeiture, loss of a driver's license, fines and/or registration as a narcotics offender. How a drug crime is charged and punished depends on the type and quantity of the drugs involved, whether the drugs were for personal use or for sale, and if the defendant has criminal record, especially prior drug convictions.