California Controlled Substance Laws
Although California recently legalized recreational marijuana in early 2018, there are still many illegal drugs in the state. It’s important to understand the laws surrounding controlled substances in California to avoid jail and keep your criminal record clean. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime in California, you can fight your charges in court.
At Crowell Law Offices, we know everyone has the right to legal representation and we strive to build our clients a strong defense. A Sacramento drug crime lawyer from our team can investigate your case and try to put reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury by using defense strategies that benefit you.
Types of Controlled Substances
California’s health and safety code regulates controlled substances by placing these drugs in a schedule system. There are five schedules that comprise various illegal or controlled drugs.
Schedule I includes drugs like opiates and cocaine. Schedule II includes drugs like opium, morphine, and other narcotics. Schedule III includes drugs like ketamine and anabolic steroids. Schedule IV includes drugs like Xanax and Valium. Schedule V includes drugs like cough syrup.
Penalties for Possession of a Controlled Substance in California
A first-time possession charge for any of the above substances in California will usually result in a misdemeanor offense. A second-time possession charge can increase the penalties of the misdemeanor offense and may result in up to $2,000 in fines and up to two years in county jail.
If the culprit is a registered sex offender or has a serious felony conviction on their record, the court may escalate the possession charge to a felony offense.
California enacted Proposition 47 in November 2014 to make drug possession convictions more lenient. Anyone convicted of felony drug possession charges in the past can petition their charges and get them reduced to misdemeanors. However, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, possession of large quantities of drugs, and selling drugs is still illegal.
Contact a Sacramento Drug Crime Attorney
If you have a past conviction that you’d like to challenge under Proposition 47, or if you’re being charged with a drug crime that you’d like to fight, an attorney from Crowell Law Offices can assist with your case. To speak with a Sacramento drug crime lawyer from our team, call 916-303-2800 or fill out the contact form below to schedule a free consultation.
