Drug Crime Lawyer

Dealing with drug charges in Bakersfield can be highly overwhelming due to the potential life-altering consequences. In California, prosecutors and law enforcement go after drug crimes with severity, and conviction can lead to incarceration, significant fines, and a permanent criminal record. Whether you are facing charges for minor possession or more serious crimes like trafficking, a Bakersfield drug crime lawyer can help to navigate the situation.

At The Law Office of Victor Nasser, our skilled team of legal professionals understands the high stakes in a drug crime case — your reputation, freedom, and future are on the line. Therefore, we leverage aggressive legal tactics to launch a strong criminal defense strategy on behalf of our clients. From negotiating with the prosecution to presenting key evidence in court, we are ready to do what it takes to yield positive case outcomes for you.

Understanding Drug Crime Charges in Bakersfield, California

Drug crimes can encompass a variety of offenses, which can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies. Depending on the seriousness of the charge and the quantity of controlled substance, as well as the type of controlled substance, penalties can vary.

The detail-oriented legal team at The Law Office of Victor Nasser has extensive experience successfully defending the following types of drug crime charges in the area:

• Drug possession. Drug possession charges include illegal substances like heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or prescription medications that are held without authorization.

Under California law, the two main types of drug possession charges are simple possession and possession with intent to distribute. Simple possession involves smaller amounts, while possession with intent to distribute suggests potential sale or distribution.

• Drug trafficking. Drug trafficking includes the distribution, sale, or transportation of controlled substances. Drug trafficking is considered to be a felony crime in California, with penalties being determined depending on factors like the quantity and type of controlled substances involved.
• Drug manufacturing. Drug manufacturing is a serious offense that involves cultivating or manufacturing illegal substances. Examples include growing more than six cannabis plants at home or producing methamphetamine in a lab. Even supporting or providing equipment for any drug manufacturing scheme can result in serious charges.
• Prescription drug fraud. Criminal charges can be brought forward for giving out illegal prescription medications or obtaining them in an unlawful manner. Examples of prescription drug fraud include forging prescriptions, selling drugs that have been prescribed, like opioids or benzodiazepines, or doctor shopping.
• Charges for paraphernalia. Possessing items that are associated with drug distribution or use, like packaging materials, pipes, or syringes, can result in further charges.

Potential Penalties for Drug Offenses in Bakersfield

The penalties you could be facing for drug crime charges are dependent on various considerations, such as your criminal history, whether the crime involved any escalating factors, and the quantity and type of substance involved. For misdemeanor drug crimes, you could be facing fines, jail time, and potential alternative sentencing options like mandatory drug treatment programs or probation.

Felony charges, on the other hand, can lead to escalated sentencing. Fines for felony drug crime charges can be much more significant, leading to long-lasting financial hardship.

Furthermore, offenders could be looking at long periods of prison time, in addition to additional consequences as a result of having a permanent criminal record. This could look like loss of their professional license, bars from employment opportunities, rejections from landlords to write housing contracts, and inability to qualify for educational programs or financial aid.

As the penalties for drug crimes in Bakersfield are significant, it is important to work with a fierce criminal defense attorney who has your back. We are ready to fight for you, launching a strong criminal defense strategy that questions the prosecution and ensures your rights are respected.

Where a Bakersfield Drug Crime Lawyer Comes In

It can be overwhelming to face drug crime charges on your own without having a skilled Bakersfield drug crime lawyer on your side. An experienced attorney from our firm is keen to take on your case and fight to ensure your rights and interests are protected. While each case is unique, we leverage the following approach to comprehensively support our clients:

• Case investigation. After an initial consultation, we can launch an in-depth investigation into the details of your case, pouring over the details of your arrest and the evidence being used by the prosecution. The evidence we examine may include witness statements, any types of physical evidence, and reports from police.
• Defense strategy development. Through a deep investigation, we can work to identify inaccuracies or insufficiencies in the prosecution’s case and engineer tactics to challenge your charges. Common defense strategies we may leverage include proving entrapment, lack of knowledge, illegal search and seizure, chain of custody issues, or insufficient evidence.
• Motions filing. If relevant to your case, our skilled criminal defense team can file motions to get evidence that was unlawfully obtained suppressed or to fight to get your current charges reduced.
• Plea deal negotiations. While not relevant for all cases, sometimes a plea deal may be necessary to yield optimal case outcomes. A diligent attorney from our firm can fiercely negotiate with the prosecution to fight for reduced charges or other alternative sentencing options like drug education programs.
• Court advocacy. Should your case end up going to trial, an attorney from our firm can fiercely defend your case. We do not hesitate to cross-examine witnesses, present strong legal arguments and evidence on your behalf, and provide comprehensive advocacy that defends your rights and advances your interests.

Start Working With a Bakersfield Drug Crime Lawyer

If you are facing drug charges in Bakersfield or surrounding areas, it is important not to face the criminal justice system alone. An experienced Bakersfield drug crime lawyer from The Law Office of Victor Nasser is here for you during this difficult time to question the prosecution’s case, bring key evidence to light, and negotiate or litigate on your behalf to fight for your rights and freedom. Contact us today so we can get started discussing the details of your case.