Law Office of Michael L. Fell
900 Roosevelt Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 585-9055

Ask a California Criminal Defense Attorney: How Serious is an Accusation or Charge Regarding Drug Paraphernalia?

Certain laws are changing as drug use opinions in the United States, and specifically California, start to alter. Yet, there are still substantial criminal repercussions that might result from being found in possession of or connected to drugs. It is true that the most serious drug crimes are those involving the production or distribution of narcotics, while drug possession generally carries less punishment.

What about the possession of drug paraphernalia? We frequently hear about how drug laws are changing, but we rarely hear about how prohibitions against possessing drug paraphernalia are still in effect. What is "paraphernalia" exactly, and what are the possible repercussions? To talk with a lawyer about your case, read on and then call Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.

The Definition of Drug Paraphernalia Under California Law

What falls under the broad definition of "drug paraphernalia" under California law is defined fairly broadly. According to the law, it's everything that's connected to drug use, drug possession, or drug concealment that isn't genuinely drug related. Syringes, pipes, and any other item the prosecutor determines is principally used to conceal illegal substances may also be regarded as drug paraphernalia.

The Gravity of a Drug Paraphernalia Charge

A person is rarely charged with only possession of drug paraphernalia. Whenever a person gets arrested on a similar drug crime, possessions of paraphernalia it is typically an add-on charge. A prosecutor may occasionally threaten to file additional charges against a subject they are trying to gather information about.

The charge may be one of several in a bundle of charges following a drug bust, or it may all be related to a routine traffic stop when the item was discovered by the police. The most common classification for crimes involving drug paraphernalia is misdemeanor, which has a maximum sentence of one year.

It's Critical to Take These Allegations Seriously

You should nevertheless take these accusations seriously even if they might not initially appear to be that serious. Why? Because having a drug-related conviction or guilty plea on your record may limit your future prospects. Based on the particulars of your case, we can contend that the item wasn't yours, that you were using it lawfully, that you were unaware it was drug paraphernalia, or that it was only uncovered during an illegal search and shouldn't be considered admissible.

Every situation is unique. Each one needs to be handled differently. Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell for a consultation to learn more about your case. We can evaluate your situation, hear the essentials, and give you our frank assessment. We will outline your options, the likely and conceivable repercussions, and our legal judgment. Call (949) 585-9055 right now to begin the procedure.