Drug abuse isn’t just a problem in California – it’s a national epidemic that’s finally getting some of the attention it should get. The bad news is that the way drug crimes are prosecuted varies by state. This may be good news for California residents, where Prop 47 has helped ensure that many low-level drug offenses aren’t charged as felonies.
That said, at Law Office of Michael L. Fell we’d like to see more defendants go into drug diversion programs instead of prison. Other states don’t have this as an option at all, and may send someone caught with a gram of marijuana to prison for years. We’re glad the laws of California are more lenient than that but we still recommend that you contact us at (949) 585-9055 right away if you’ve been charged with any drug crime.
It’s not all about California – you could face federal drug charges too
One of the scariest things about facing drug charges is that you could end up being charged at a federal level. This is unlikely in lower offenses but in today’s political climate it’s impossible to know what’s coming next. Once again, your best defense against this happening is to get a free legal consultation with Law Office of Michael L. Fell.
Many defendants list drug addiction as a major cause of their crime
The federal government has studied drug addiction and found that a large number of criminals who admit to their crime admit that it was a result of their drug addiction. How many? As high as one in five prisoners – in both state and federal prisons – say that drug addiction was closely connected to their crime.
Does society have a role in drug addiction?
A compassionate society would ask what they could do to help drug addiction rather than simply lock up those who are addicted. The good news is that California has some progressive laws on this topic – in fact they’re some of the most progressive in the country. This state does see a difference between a person who’s caught with a small amount of drugs for personal use and a person who’s involved in drug trafficking.
Drug diversion may be the answer
In the state of California, what we’re trying to do is get drug addicts involved in drug diversion programs instead of a criminal facility. Essentially, this puts the person’s case on hold while they seek treatment. If they successful complete treatment and can prove to the judge that they’re serious about treating their addiction, then their charge will eventually be dismissed as though it never existed.
Are you facing drug charges? Find out what your options are
If you’re facing any type of drug charge then you need an attorney. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we will listen to your side of the story and offer you the best legal advice we have. Your best move may be to fight to the charges or it may be best to seek a plea deal. In other cases, drug diversion may be the best choice. To learn more about the options and which one fits best for you, contact us at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.