Long Beach Drug Crimes Lawyer

Long Beach Drug Crimes Defense for Possession and Other Drug Charges

If you have been arrested or charged with a drug crime in Long Beach, you need an attorney who understands the criminal charges, potential consequences, and legal options involved in your case. The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson provides experienced defense for clients facing drug possession, possession for sale, trafficking, manufacturing, cultivation, and other drug-related charges.

Drug crimes and narcotics offenses in Long Beach can carry serious legal consequences. The specific consequences depend on the charges, circumstances, evidence, and applicable California law. An experienced Long Beach drug crimes lawyer can review your case and explain the legal options available to you.

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 Long Beach Drug Crimes Lawyer Help With My Case?

If you have been charged with a drug crime, our Long Beach drug crimes lawyers can review the allegations, explain the charges, and assess the circumstances of your case. We can then discuss the defense options that may be available based on the facts and applicable law.

Jerry Nicholson has experience defending juveniles and adults facing misdemeanor and felony drug offenses, including possession, possession with intent to sell, trafficking, and prescription-drug-related charges. He can review the circumstances of your case and develop a defense strategy based on the allegations and evidence involved.

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.

What Defense Options May Be Available in a Long Beach Drug Crime Case?

The appropriate defense strategy depends on the circumstances of each drug crime case. The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson reviews the allegations, evidence, and goals of each client before discussing available legal options.

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.

When appropriate, the firm can also help clients understand available treatment-oriented or alternative sentencing options related to drug charges.

If you are facing drug charges in Long Beach, contact The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson to discuss your case confidentially. We can review the charges and explain the legal options that may be available based on your circumstances. Call 562-434-8916 to schedule a consultation.

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).

Contact a Long Beach Drug Crimes Lawyer

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.

These charges can carry serious consequences, making it important to understand the allegations, potential penalties, and available defense options.

If you are facing drug charges in Long Beach, contact The Law Offices of Jerry Nicholson for a confidential consultation. Call 562-434-8916 or complete the consultation form to discuss your case with the firm.