Chico Drug Crime Lawyer

Table of Contents

Chico Drug Crime Attorney

Facing a drug charge in California can result in long-term consequences and negatively impact your future. Because of this, it’s crucial that you work with an experienced Chico drug crime lawyer who can help you understand your legal options, fight for your rights, and work to secure an outcome that’s optimal for your situation.

Eric Alan Berg & Associates: Your Chico Drug Crime Lawyers

At Eric Alan Berg & Associates, we understand the weight that a Chico drug charge may hold over you. However, just because you’re facing a charge for a drug crime doesn’t mean that your life is over. Our adept attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of our clients, working to get charges reduced or even dismissed through aggressive negotiation and representation. If you’re facing a drug crime charge in Chico, don’t wait to see how our lawyers can help you.

Types of Drug Crimes in Chico

In Chico, a drug crime includes any unlawful activity, behavior, or event related to the use or possession of controlled substances. There are both state and federal statutes that outline specific drug crimes, their severity, and the penalties associated with each crime and type of drug. Drug crimes in California can range from minor offenses to serious felonies. Some of the most common drug charges we see in California include:

Possession of a Controlled Substance. Possessing drugs in Chico is a criminal offense. There is simple possession, which involves having drugs for personal use, and there is possession with the intent to sell, which means you intend to sell the substances to someone else. Intent to sell can be inferred by considering the amount of drugs found on a person.
Drug Trafficking. Drug trafficking includes the transporting, importing, or distributing of controlled substances in Chico.
Manufacturing Drugs. Manufacturing refers to the production of drugs in Chico. This would include cooking drugs, for example, methamphetamines, in a lab or having a growing house for marijuana that is outside legal guidelines.
Prescription Crimes. This refers to the act of fraudulently obtaining prescription drugs. A prescription drug crime in Chico could include forging a prescription, using someone else’s prescription for your own use, or selling or giving your prescription drugs to someone else.
Owning Drug Paraphernalia. A paraphernalia charge in Chico involves possessing items that are commonly used for the consumption of drugs, such as pipes or bongs.

California Drug Schedules

In alignment with federal statutes, California places drugs into categories referred to as “schedules.” Schedules can be defined as follows:

Schedule I. These drugs have the highest chance of abuse and have no accepted medical usage. Examples of these include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
Schedule II. This category has a high chance of abuse and limited medical use with severe guidelines. Examples of these include oxycodone and fentanyl.
Schedule III. This category has a moderate chance of abuse and has few accepted medical uses. Examples of these include anabolic steroids and certain prescription medications.
Schedule IV. This category has a fairly low chance of abuse with accepted medical uses. Examples of these include Ambien and Valium.
Schedule V. This category has the smallest chance of abuse with many accepted medical uses. Examples of these include certain cough medicines.

What to Do If You’re Charged With a Drug Crime in Chico

If you are charged with a drug crime, the first thing you want to do is remain calm. Panicking can cause you to think less rationally.

Exercise your right to remain silent. Keep in mind that anything you say to an officer can be used against you in court. After your arrest, you should immediately contact an experienced Chico drug crime lawyer who can help you better understand your situation and what legal steps you’ll need to take. You should wait until you have a lawyer present to discuss your case with the officers.

After your initial arrest and questioning, you and your lawyer should begin building a powerful case that demonstrates your innocence and works to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Working with an experienced Chico criminal defense lawyer gives you the strongest chance of obtaining an optimal outcome in your Chico drug crime case. If you’re facing a drug crime charge in Chico, the team at Eric Alan Berg & Associates is prepared to advocate for you.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in California?

A: The intricacy of your case, the experience of your lawyer, and the amount of time needed to settle your case can all impact the total cost of your California criminal lawyer. Every attorney uses a different fee structure, so it’s crucial that you discuss payment options with a lawyer before hiring them. To get an estimate of what a California criminal lawyer may cost, you should ask your lawyer in your initial consultation.

Q: What Happens to First-Time Drug Offenders in California?

A: In California, first-time drug offenders may be eligible for alternative sentencing, such as treatment or diversion programs, in exchange for jail time. After successfully completing these rehabilitation-focused programs, qualifying defendants may have their charges reduced or even dismissed. A Chico drug crime lawyer can help you determine whether you may have alternative sentencing options available to you.

Q: Can Drug Charges Be Dropped in California?

A: In Chico, California, it is possible to have drug charges dropped if the prosecution does not have enough evidence, if law enforcement violated your constitutional rights while conducting the investigation, if you successfully finished a diversion program, or if your legal representation demonstrates your innocence. Your chances of getting a drug charge in California dropped are significantly increased when you retain legal aid from a skilled defense lawyer.

Q: What Is the Minimum Sentence for Drug Trafficking in California?

A: The type of substance, the amount you possessed, and whether your case is being handled at the state or federal level can all impact your minimum sentence. Although jail time is frequently a significant part of drug crime sentences, the exact circumstances of your sentencing will depend on the unique details of your crime. You should consult your lawyer to learn more about the potential consequences that come with a drug trafficking charge in California.

Contact Eric Alan Berg & Associates Today

At Eric Alan Berg & Associates, our experienced criminal defense lawyers work tirelessly to advocate for the rights of Chico residents. We understand just how overwhelming a drug charge can be and are prepared to fight for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can represent you through a Chico drug crime case.

On May 4, 2018, Attorneys of Eric Alan Berg and Associates successfully suppressed evidence in a DUI case resulting in a complete dismissal. The client had been pulled over on a Friday night leaving the Market Street Steakhouse. A Redding police officer claimed that his tail light was out and initiated a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to the officer, the car had just passed a safety inspection a few weeks before. The defense subpoenaed the inspection records and called the technician who serviced the car to testify to explain that the light was working properly, and called an eye witness who saw that the light was in working condition the morning after the arrest. The client can now return to work without fear of any license restrictions, probation, or punishment.

DUI Dismissal

A man in his 60’s was charged with molesting and sodomizing five boys in a 35 year period. The sheriffs detective knew at least one of the boys had recanted but he hid the tape recording wherein the boy said it never happened. The district attorney had to search the sheriff’s computer himself to find the tape showing the man’s innocence and showing that the boy said he was innocent.

False accusation of multiple molestation

We represented an old man who was accused of sexually molesting his girl friend’s daughter. The prosecutor claimed that he confessed on tape. The defense showed that it was no confession. Many of the jurors found the defendant not guilty. The defendant eventually avoided state prison and was freed.

False accusation of molestation of girl friends daughter

Our client was a probation officer and was charged with sexually molesting his neighbor and his adopted foster daughter. The defense showed that his daughter had a long history of falsely accusing people of serious crimes. The defense also presented the daughters long history of mental illness. The defense also showed that the police lost a crucial recorded statement of another complaining witness. Many jurors found the accused innocent of the charges and the court dismissed the charges after the first trial.

False accusation of adopted child molestation

Our client was charged with sexually molesting his adopted step-daughter. The district attorney claimed that he had a confession on tape. The defense showed that it was not a confession but a set up. Many jurors found the defendant not guilty and the court dismissed all of the charges. In that case, the accuser originally accused our client of molesting her for many months. The district attorney tried to change the story when we proved that he wasn’t even in town when these crimes supposedly occurred.

False accusation of molestation of step daughter

We defended two Hells Angels accused of rape. At the trial we proved that the accuser exchanged her phone number with one of the other old bikers at the clubhouse, a few minutes after the alleged rape. Through our investigation, we learned that the accuser, a young woman in her early twentys had borrowed her father’s car for the night. She returned it late, making him late for work in the morning. She needed a good excuse. The excuse she used was that she had been raped by two Hells Angels.

False accusation of rape

An old man in his 70’s was charged with threatening 2 sheriff deputies with his Chinese assault rifle . This man was a famous newspaper editor and publisher in the county. He was a regular critic of the Sheriff. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. On Christmas Eve, he and his wife had been burning rat’s nests on his property in Hayfork. As the fire got out of control and spread prisoners from the local fire camp were called to put it out. They were up all night making noise and causing his dog to bark which kept him and his wife and his dog awake on Christmas eve. He went down to the prisoners and told them to be quiet and then went back home.

False accusation of threatening of Sheriff Police.

Recently, a client of ours was facing multiple charges including possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, which is a prison eligible felony. Additionally, the DA in the case was looking to add more prison eligible felonies such as bringing a controlled substance into a jail. Eric Alan Berg & Associates was able to negotiate an agreement with the DA where our client plead to only two misdemeanor charges of possession of a firearm and controlled substance.

Securing Misdemeanor Deal when Client charged with Strikes

Recently we had a client who was arrested for possession of drugs and child abuse. Attorney Eric Berg was able to convince the DA to file only the drug possession charge and not the child abuse charge. Further, if our client continues with their treatment plan the entire case will be dismissed in six months without ever requiring our client to plead guilty or no-contest. If you or someone you know is facing legal troubles give our offices a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!

Facilitating Substance Abuse Treatment and avoiding a Criminal Record

Recently a client retained us who was stopped for a traffic violation while they were transporting a couple of pounds of marijuana, which was discovered by law enforcement during the stop. Our offices were able to get all their charges and case dismissed in court. If you or someone you know has been arrested for similar crimes, give our offices a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!

Marijuana Transportation Case Dismissed

Before retaining us, our client had a number of pending cases, and some matters being investigated by law enforcement. They took a plea bargain in which they plead guilty to three of their pending cases, with the understanding that the rest of their pending cases would be dismissed and any un-filed cases would not be filed. Shortly after entering this agreement, the DA’s office filed charges related to an investigation that began before they entered the agreement. We successfully argued that the DA’s office breached the plea agreement, and had the plea agreement enforced – meaning the new case was dismissed. If you or someone you know is in need of an attorney, give us a call today at (530) 223-5100 to set up a free consultation!