• Attorney Jerry Nicholson has over 37 years of experience helping clients fight criminal charges.
  • Our phone lines are staffed 24/7 so if you choose to hire our law firm, you will have access to top attorneys at all hours.
  • Unlike other law firms, we spend as much time as needed with clients during a free consultation.
  • Clients will receive honest advice from one of our award-winning lawyers during this initial consultation.
  • Our aggressive approach to defending our clients’ rights has helped us earn a reputation of being the best of the best, as well as [rscore score=4.8 rev=19]

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  • We frequently receive positive reviews from our former clients and colleagues in the legal community.

Criminal Defense Law Firm Providing Award-Winning Representation For Those Facing Possession Charges And More

[fusion_text]Substance abuse, drug use and abuse, and drug addiction continue to be major legal and medical concerns in the United States. If you’re arrested and charged with illegal drug use, possession, sale, or the manufacture or cultivation of illegal drugs, it’s vital that you trust your case to an experienced drug crimes attorney who has the experience and strategies required to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

In Long Beach, drug crimes and other narcotics offenses are treated very seriously, so it is important to contact an experienced attorney to represent your case because even first-time offenders can face jail time. This is precisely where The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson can assist, as our experienced legal team will strive to minimize your chances of seeing jail time, fines and other penalties.

While cases involving drug possession for personal use tend to carry milder penalties than those associated with drug sales or trafficking, California’s narcotic laws are complicated and constantly changing. For this reason, it’s essential that you trust your criminal defense to an experienced legal team.

How Can A Criminal Lawyer Help With My Drug Case?

If you have been charged with a narcotic crime, our experienced Long Beach drug crimes lawyers will take the time to explain the charges and assess the details of your case. Then, we will fight vigorously for justice on your behalf.

Over the years, attorney Jerry Nicholson has defended both juveniles and adults that have been accused in misdemeanor and felony drug cases such as possession, possession with intent to sell, trafficking, and crimes related to prescription drugs. Clients have also turned to The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson for legal advice after they were wrongly charged with possession of another person’s drugs.

We have also assisted in cases where the police violated a citizen’s rights in an attempt to obtain evidence. In these cases, it is often possible to achieve a reduction in the severity of the charges or dismissal.

How Do Drug Crime Lawyers Work To Get The Best Outcome For Their Clients?

Long Beach Drug Crimes AttorneyWhile a “not guilty” verdict at the end of a trial is always the goal, this is not always a realistic expectation for every client. At The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson, our goal is to work with you to understand your concerns and your goals for the future.

Then, with this in mind, we will work to minimize the impact on you, your career, your loved ones and your life as a whole. In many cases, our drug crime lawyers can negotiate on your behalf after an arrest, securing alternative sentencing such as enrollment in a narcotic and substance abuse treatment program.

In cases where the client is suffering with a narcotic abuse or addiction situation, The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson will put you in touch with the drug treatment help you need.

If you’re charged with any drug crime or drug-related crime in Long Beach or the surrounding region, trust your case to an experienced drug crimes lawyer. Contact The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson today to arrange a free and no-cost consultation session with a criminal defense attorney by calling 562-434-8916.

Jerry works and fought hard for my case. He got me the best outcome possible. He is really amazing and cares for his clients. – Max Power

What Are The Punishments For Drug Crimes in Long Beach, CA?

California’s drug crime statutes are quite complex and the impact of a drug crimes conviction can be significant and far-reaching, impacting your career, your ability to rent property or even your ability to maintain custody of your children.

According to the drug possession statutes in California, possession falls into two basic categories: simple possession and possession with the intent to sell. The prosecutor may consider the total quantity and the manner of packaging when deciding whether to charge a defendant with possession.

Simple possession typically applies to cases involving a “useable quantity” of a substance. In cases where the individual is in possession of a larger quantity of a prohibited substance, particularly in cases where the drug is packaged in a manner that’s consistent with sale (i.e. multiple small bags instead of one large bag.)

In November 2014, California voters approved a key piece of legislation called Proposition 47, which serves to reduce simple possession charges from a felony to a misdemeanor charge – an offense that carries no more than one year in jail. This impacted Health and Safety Code sections 11350, 11377 and 11357(a).

When Is A Drug Crime Considered A Felony?

California’s drug crime statutes do allow for a Deferred Entry of Judgment or “DEJ” in cases of first offenders who are facing simple possession charges. This alternative typically allows the individual to enroll in a drug education program. Once the program is completed, they can seek a full dismissal of the charge in court.

The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson can also petition the courts to seal the records concerning this case, following the successful completion of the drug education program. This is allowable under Penal Code Section 851.90.

Additionally, your drug crimes lawyer can help you to pursue a Proposition 36 treatment, named after a California voter initiative that offers a drug treatment program as an alternative to jail for individuals who are not eligible for a Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ.) If the defendant successfully completes the drug treatment program, your defense lawyer can seek out a dismissal of the case. Proposition 36 treatment is available to most individuals, with the exceptions of citizens with a prior “strike” conviction.

Contact Our Top-Rated Long Beach Drug Crimes Law Firm Today

At The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson, our attorneys are ready to fight for you. We can also provide representation in cases involving more serious felony drug crimes, such as manufacturing or cultivation-related charges, transportation of narcotics or possession for the purpose of re-sale. Our law firm also have experience defending clients against other criminal charges, including sex crimes, assault and battery, DUI, theft, and domestic violence.

Some of these charges carry mandatory prison sentences, underscoring the importance of trusting your case to an experienced legal team who can implement strategies that will maximize your chances of seeing the best possible outcome for your case.

If you are facing drug charges in Southern California, defense attorneys with The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson are ready to assist. Contact our law offices today to discuss your case in a free, fully confidential consultation session. Call our office at 562-434-8916 or fill out the form on this website to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.