Let Our Experienced Valencia Drug Trafficking Attorneys Build Your Defense
Facing a drug trafficking charge in California is one of the most daunting experiences you can go through. Convictions for drug trafficking can include lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. Much about your case will depend on the circumstances under which you were arrested and how evidence was collected, so understanding the nuances of California drug crimes laws is essential.
At NP Law in Valencia, we bring over 40 years of combined legal experience to your defense. We understand that your freedom, your record and your future are on the line. Led by veteran trial lawyers, our team approaches every case with discipline and precision. We appreciate what is at stake for you, and we are ready to build a strong defense to protect your rights and guide you forward.
How California Defines Drug Trafficking Charges
Under California law, drug trafficking is a severe offense that goes far beyond simply holding a substance for personal use, which is generally charged as simple possession. Trafficking involves the transportation, sale, importation or distribution of illegal controlled substances.
To elevate a basic possession charge to possession with intent to distribute or trafficking, prosecutors must prove you planned to sell or transfer the drugs to others. To determine intent, they typically rely on circumstantial evidence, such as the presence of large drug quantities, packaging materials, measuring scales or large amounts of cash.
Some common charges you might face in California for drug trafficking include:
- Possession with intent to distribute
- Manufacturing or transporting manufacturing chemicals
- Fentanyl trafficking
- Cross-Border or interstate trafficking
On top of the state charges you may face, it’s important to note that drug trafficking can also be filed as a federal charge, which often results in even harsher mandatory minimum sentences.
The Cost Of A Drug Trafficking Conviction
California aggressively prosecutes trafficking, with penalties relying heavily on the drug’s type and quantity. Potential sentences handed down by the court can include:
- Three to nine years in state prison for selling, importing or transporting controlled substances
- Three, six or nine years in state prison for transporting drugs between noncontiguous California counties
- Fentanyl trafficking now carries some of the harshest penalties in California, with weight-based enhancements adding three to 25 years to your base sentence
- Lengthier “enhanced” prison terms for offenses involving selling to minors or occurring near schools
- Substantial fines ranging from $20,000 up to $500,000
Beyond prison time and steep fines, a felony drug trafficking conviction leaves a permanent mark on your criminal record and can also lead to the permanent loss of your gun rights. You may experience lasting restrictions when trying to pass background checks for employment.
Defense Strategies For Trafficking Charges
While the consequences of a trafficking conviction are intimidating, the prosecution has a high burden in proving your guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” At NP Law, our legal team researches each element of evidence to find weaknesses in the state’s case. Some of the strategies our attorneys use include:
- Reviewing how searches for evidence were conducted to determine if your Fourth Amendment rights against illegal searches and seizures were violated
- Questioning the chain of custody if evidence appears to have been mishandled after it was gathered
- Demonstrating that the drugs in your possession were for personal use, which shows a lack of intent to distribute the drugs further
- Documenting where you were (and with whom) when any crimes were said to be committed, thus showing you had an alibi
- Challenging the truthfulness of witness testimony
If evidence was gathered improperly, it may be suppressed during a trial, which can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.
Why Work With Our Firm?
With more than four decades of combined trial experience, our attorneys are respected in the courtroom. We prepare extensively for your California drug trafficking trial, understanding that our level of readiness enables us to advocate for you in the moment, no matter what is happening. Attorneys Lee Previant and John Noland blend their unique litigation, medical and military backgrounds to provide criminal defense representation that is knowledgeable, compelling and effective.
Claim Your Free Consultation – Call 855-675-2901 Today
We believe that quality legal representation should be accessible to everyone. We offer free case consultations to ensure we fully understand the nuances of your situation. Call our office in Valencia at 855-675-2901 or use our online form to set up your appointment. We work with clients in the Santa Clarita Valley, throughout Los Angeles County, and across California.