Have You Been Accused of a Drug-Related Crime?

Drug crimes are either misdemeanors or felonies relating to the use, possession, manufacturing, and distribution or trafficking of illegal substances. Some of these include marijuana, cocaine, heroin and amphetamines. Due to their relation to drug manufacturing, they can even include common over-the-counter products such as cough syrup. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports over 1.66 million arrests were made in the United States for drug-related crimes in 2009. Being charged with a drug crime is a serious offense and depending upon the quantity, purpose and classification of the drug penalties can include:

• Community service
• Probation
• Jail time for minor offenses
• Fines that can reach from less than a hundred to billions of dollars
• Property forfeiture
• Prison time for repeat, major offenders. Minimum 3-12 years.
• And in serious cases involving drug cartels and major drug crimes:
  even the death penalty.

The severity of all drug-related crimes varies from case to case and as the War on Drugs continues, sympathy for defendants in cases involving drug-crimes is often all but entirely absent. In a case where someone possesses a large amount of a drug, prosecutors can claim that you intended to distribute despite a lack of evidence. And in cases where multiple offenses can be proven to have been involved with the violations, there are enhanced punishments such as if minors are used for distribution, if they are sold to minors, or if they are sold or distributed near schools.

Drug Crime Defense Attorney in Santa Ana

If you are charged with a drug crime, anything from possession to distribution, it can ruin your life and you could even be required to register as a narcotics offender. Cases involving drug-related crimes demand an attention to detail and the knowledge and expertise of an experienced Santa Ana drug crime lawyer who can help protect your rights. If you or someone you love has been charge with a narcotics offense, we at the Law Offices of Aguilar & Sonnonstine, APC will do everything possible to protect those rights.

Contact a Santa Ana Drug Crime Attorney today to learn how we can help.