Riverside Drug Charges Defense Lawyer
When federal lawmakers put mandatory sentencing guidelines in place for drug offenses in 1986, they may not have anticipated the impact it would have on prison populations nationwide and the resulting overcrowding.
In California, we supposedly have some of the least onerous drug laws among the states. For example, drug possession can result in fines of $30 to $500 and jail sentences of 15 to 180 days. This may be a small consolation to those who are in jail for drug charges. However, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 24.7% of new prison admissions in California in 2010 were for drugs. That translates to 29,105 new inmates. The numbers were down slightly in 2011 when 22,058 new prison admissions were for drugs.
If you were one of those new inmates, you may not feel that California’s drug laws are light, or minor, or inconsequential. You might think that a drug conviction is the worst thing that could ever happen to you.
At Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox LLP, our Riverside drug charges defense lawyers work toward making sure that our clients do not become one of those statistics. We work very hard at achieving two main objectives:
- Keep our clients out of jail
- Keep drug offenses off our clients’ records
Why Experience Matters
For those arrested and charged in Riverside, an experienced drug charges defense lawyer can be the difference between jail time and a felony on your record – or dropped charges, an acquittal or lesser consequences.
At Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox LLP, we have the experience necessary and the dedication desired to fight for the rights of those arrested for drug possession or drug trafficking charges. Attorney Stephen Levine is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense. This is an honor given to only the top criminal defense attorneys in California.
We know how the prosecution thinks, because we have former prosecutors at our law firm. We know how to defend drug charges because we have done so, successfully, on many occasions. We’d be pleased to put our law firm’s experience on your side.
Defense Against All Drug Charges in Riverside County
At our law firm we have experience with the follow types of drug charges:
- Drug possession
- Drug possession with intent to sell
- Drug trafficking
- Drug manufacturing
The severity of the consequences for any drug charge will also depend upon the type of drug involved. At Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox LLP, our Riverside drug charges defense attorneys have experience defending those suspected of possessing or selling the following types of illegal substances:
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- LSD
- Methamphetamine (meth)
- Psilocybin mushrooms
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) places prohibitions and other controls on possessing or selling controlled substances such as narcotics or pain relievers, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens or anabolic steroids. At our law firm we have experience defending drug charges related to:
- Marijuana, heroin, mescaline or other Schedule I drugs
- Amphetamine, codeine, fentanyl, Hydromorphone, methadone, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), morphine, oxycodone, pentobarbital, phencyclidine (PCP) and other Schedule II drugs
- Anabolic steroids and other Schedule III drugs
- Xanax, Librium, Valium, Ativan and other Schedule IV drugs such as phenobarbital
As you can see, there are a number of ways to get into trouble with illegal drugs and controlled substances. Those who are facing drug charges, whether misdemeanors or felonies, would be wise to retain a law firm with experience and a proven track record of defending those charges.
Drug Crime Lawyers in Riverside, CA
Our attorneys know how serious the potential criminal penalties you will face if convicted could be, and will do everything possible to protect you from wrongful conviction or excessive sentencing. Distributing drugs, drug manufacturing, possession with intent to sell, drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and other drug crime charges need to be taken very seriously, and every second counts early on in your case. Work with an attorney as soon as possible so that you can understand your legal rights, and protect yourself from police questioning and other tactics designed to build evidence against you.
Your Legal Options
Our Riverside drug charge attorneys will help you explore every available legal option. The state of California provides for the possibility for alternative sentencing in drug crime cases, and depending on the details of your unique case, you may be eligible for referral to a drug court or a drug diversion program focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. In addition to avoiding jail time and fines, you could even walk away with a clean criminal record after completing a drug rehabilitation program, community service, restitution, probation, and other requirements.
Contact a Riverside Drug Charges Defense Attorney
Time is of the essence. If you have been arrested or have been charged with a drug crime, please contact our Riverside drug charges defense lawyers for a free initial consultation.
