Heroin Possession Law - Health and Safety Code 11350
If you have been arrested for any type of drug crime involving heroin, you could be facing severe consequences if you are convicted.
Suppose your heroin arrest is being prosecuted as a federal drug crime. In that case, you are facing even more serious penalties that include a lengthy prison sentence due to the mandatory minimum sentences called for by the United States Congress.
If a heroin charge is being held in a federal court, this usually means that large quantities of the drug were involved.
Possession of heroin between one hundred grams and one kilogram of any substance that contains a detectable amount of heroin with intent to distribute, distribute that amount, or manufacture has a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison.
For cases that involve over one kilogram of heroin, the mandatory minimum sentence is ten years. Furthermore, if you have any prior felony drug convictions, even if the drug crime conviction is only simple possession, then prison sentences are even more severe.
California Health and Safety Code 109575 HS makes it a crime to manufacture, distribute, or possess an imitation controlled substance knowingly or with the intent to distribute it.
If you have been accused of certain California drug crimes, it might be possible to avoid a jail or prison sentence through a drug diversion program, commonly known as deferred entry of judgment. This program allows first-time offenders to undergo drug treatment and education instead of serving time in jail. Successful completion of the program can result in the dismissal of your charges.
Fighting Your Heroin Charges
In California, possession of a controlled substance, such as a usable amount of heroin, cocaine, or prescription drugs without a valid prescription, is illegal.
Heroin is considered one of the most dangerous illegal drugs in use today. This is due to the physical and psychological harm it can inflict on the user and its potential for severe drug addiction.
Therefore, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office takes heroin cases very seriously and will aggressively pursue a drug crime conviction.
Even worse is the prosecution of a heroin case by the federal government. You could be charged with a federal drug crimes case for possession of heroin with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin, conspiracy to distribute heroin or heroin importation.
Each of these serious drug crime charges carries potential penalties that could adversely impact the rest of your life.
At the Law Offices of Cron, Israels & Stark, we have a proven track record of successfully defending clients accused of any type of state or federal criminal drug charges involving heroin for decades. Although our office is located in Los Angeles, we defend clients in California and throughout the United States.
When you retain our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, we will meticulously prepare and investigate your drug crime case, leaving no stone unturned. We will defend your rights in a court of law and explore all possible avenues for your defense. Further, you might be eligible for a drug court.
We will protect your Constitutional rights against illegal searches and seizures and other questionable techniques that local police and federal agencies may use to obtain evidence against you. This means we will ensure that any evidence presented against you was obtained legally and in accordance with your rights as a citizen.
Therefore, if you are currently under investigation or have already been arrested for a drug crime involving heroin, know that we are here for you. Contact us to get the legal defense you need. We offer a free case evaluation to discuss heroin charges and are available to our clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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