Santa Barbara Drug Possession Attorneys

Experienced Drug Possession and Sales Lawyers Serving Santa Barbara County, CA

In Santa Barbara, if you are found with possession of drugs, including but not limited to cocaine, ecstasy, GHB and other illicit substances, you may be found guilty with severe punishment including jail time.

In California, drug possession and sales are both considered a misdemeanor all the way to a felony, with strict penalties that will negatively impact your life even after you’ve served your time – and paid off your fines. If you’re facing charges for either of these crimes, here’s what you need to know about the potential consequences of drug possession and sales in Santa Barbara.

To speak with our experienced Santa Barbara drug possession lawyers, give us a call at (805) 749-5670 or contact us online today.

It is Important to Understand Santa Barbara Drug Laws

Drug laws in California, and especially Santa Barbara County may be a bit complex and exhausting to understand. Fines typically start at $100 and can rocket all the way past thousands of dollars, plus jail time. This is all dependent on what type of drugs were found, if there was an intent to sell and the court’s decision through the verdict.

Law and Health and Safety Code 11350: According to HS 11350, “except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who possesses…any controlled substance…unless upon the written prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this state, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year.”

What Does the Prosecution Have to Prove in Order to Get a Conviction?

For the court to convict you of a drug possession or drug sale crime in Santa Barbara County, prosecutors must prove that you knowingly and intentionally possessed controlled substance(s) or drug paraphernalia.

What does it mean to knowingly possess an illegal substance?

This is when someone can say that they knew what they were doing was illegal and against the law, and still did it anyway. Not all drugs are automatically assumed to be for sale, so if a person is accused of possessing something that has no known street value (like certain vitamins), he or she might have a chance at beating that charge. Therefore, it’s important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

If you have been charged with drug possession or even drug sales charges, you may be in serious legal trouble. But that doesn’t mean your case is impossible to defend. Knowing what your rights are, especially when it comes to Santa Barbara drug possession and sales law is an important first step in defending yourself against criminal charges. The are many ways to defend yourself against drug possessions or sales charges in Santa Barbara County. People with a drug record, who think they can defend themselves in court on their own, often find out too late that they were unprepared for what may lie ahead. It absolutely pays to get legal help as soon as you can so you know your rights– before it’s too late. That is why the first step to defense is obtaining proper legal counsel.

Good News for Drug Possession and Sales Charges

Proposition 47, The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, or Prop 47, is a ballot initiative that passed in November 2014. This act reduces penalties for some crimes involving drug possession.