Drug Crimes

Attorney Jeffrey R. Lawrence has been representing clients charged with all types of drug offenses throughout his long career doing criminal defense work.  He has received special training in the past and he annually attends legal seminars to ensure his knowledge of the constantly evolving drug laws is up to date.  Mr. Lawrence knows when to put the pressure on the DA and when to back off.  He has successfully litigated several motions to suppress evidence for illegal searches and seizures, resulting in dismissed cases.  He has taken several drug cases to trial and achieved acquittals for his clients.

Being charged with a drug offense in the state of California is based on an extremely complicated system of “schedules.”  The Controlled Substance Act classifies narcotics into 5 different “schedules,” the most serious being “Schedule 1″ offenses that include narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, LSD and PCP.  Penalties vary depending on type of drug, the type of activity, and in some cases the quantity.  If you are convicted of a drug crime in the state of California, you may face anything from probation and a fine to life in prison.  

Marijuana laws are not as severe as the above of offenses, but possession of large quantities, cultivation, and possession for sale are still heavily prosecuted.   Mr. Lawrence fights hard for the rights of all medical marijuana patients and dispensaries who are wrongly accused of the possession or sale of marijuana.

If this is your first offense and there is no violence involved, you may be eligible for alternative sentencing by the courts. The courts may impose a sentence comprised of counseling, rehabilitation, periodic drug testing, and probation.  

In California, Proposition 36 offers an alternative to incarceration for non-violent first time drug offenders. Instead of prison time, you will be placed on probation and sentenced to a variety of alternative drug rehabilitation options, depending on your situation.  Attorney Jeffrey R. Lawrence has years of experience handling drug cases of all calibers, and he has also specifically appeared in "Drug Court" for hundreds of clients during his career.  Mr. Lawrence has also undergone specific training programs tailored for California's proposition 36 alternative sentencing options and “Drug Courts.” 

Mr. Lawrence understands the criminal justice system and he will help guide you through it.  He will make sure that all alternative sentencing options are presented to the judge on your behalf.  Mr. Lawrence may be able to present your case under special circumstances where steps for rehabilitation are determined, and if you complete each of the phases successfully, your case will be dismissed.  

It is important to realize that you deserve the best defense possible in court. Many drug charges in California do not result in a conviction, and this is often due to the aggressive defense of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney.   Attorney Jeffrey R. Lawrence will vigorously defend your rights and his sole priority is to achieve a resolution that you can live with, without significantly affecting your lifestyle.

One final thing, if the government seizes your property and money, Mr. Lawrence can also assist you in attempting to retrieve them if the DA files asset forfeiture proceedings against you.  Please be sure to mention this when you call.