Riverside Drug Crimes Attorney

Focused Defense for Drug Crime Cases in Riverside, CA

As a Riverside drug crimes attorney, I defend people facing tough criminal charges throughout Riverside County and across Southern California. If you’ve been accused of a drug crime, you’re up against a system that moves fast and not always fairly.

I know how law enforcement officers and prosecutors build drug-related cases under California’s drug laws. Whether it’s drug possession, drug trafficking, or a prescription drug offense, I understand what’s at stake: your freedom, your record, and your future.

I know what you’re facing, and I’ll defend you every step of the way.

Drug Crimes and Narcotics Cases I Defend

As an experienced defense attorney, I handle a wide range of drug offenses involving controlled substances and prescription drugs. Every charge demands its own defense strategy, and I tailor mine to the specific facts, evidence, and circumstances of your case.

• Drug possession
• Possession for sale of a controlled substance
• DUI with drugs
• Possession of drugs while armed
• Drug offenses resulting in death
• Drug trafficking/distribution
• Drug manufacturing/cultivation
• Prescription drug offenses
• Drug conspiracy
• Drug crimes in school zones
• Minor in possession of drugs
• Cocaine crimes
• Heroin crimes
• Meth crimes
• Ecstasy crimes
• Marijuana crimes
• Opiate drug crimes
• Synthetic drug offenses
• Alternative sentencing in drug crime cases

My goal is to protect your rights, limit your exposure to serious consequences, and help you move forward with confidence.

Fast Help: What to Do in the Next 24 Hours After a Drug Charge in CA

If you were arrested or expect charges, the next day matters. Here’s what I tell my clients to do right away:

1. Stop talking about the case: Don’t text or post. Screenshots become evidence.
2. Don’t consent to searches: Politely say, “I do not consent.”
3. Save proof: Keep meds, valid prescription bottles, receipts, and contact info for witnesses.
4. Call me before you call anyone else: I’ll advise you on how to safely proceed.

Your Rights After a Drug Charge in California

If you’re arrested for a drug crime, it’s easy to feel powerless. But under California law, you still have rights, and using them correctly can make all the difference.

Your Right to Remain Silent

You don’t have to answer questions or explain anything to law enforcement officers. Exercise this right respectfully and wait for your lawyer.

Your Right to Legal Representation

Ask for a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Having representation early on prevents mistakes and protects your constitutional rights.

Your Right Against Illegal Search and Seizure

If law enforcement obtained evidence through improper legal procedures, I’ll move to suppress it and challenge the case’s foundation.

Your Right to a Fair Trial

Every person is entitled to a defense that tests the prosecution’s case and creates reasonable doubt. That’s exactly what I provide.

I make sure your rights are protected from the moment you call my office until your case is resolved.

Drug and Narcotics Charge Classifications in California

In California, drug crimes are divided into levels based on the type of controlled substance, the amount involved, and whether there’s evidence of possession, sale, or intent to distribute. How your charge is filed under the California Health & Safety Code determines the penalties you face and the defense strategy I’ll build for you.

Misdemeanor Drug Charges

These cases usually involve personal possession of a small amount of drugs. A misdemeanor charge can still lead to county jail time, probation, or drug court participation, but many people qualify for diversion programs or alternative sentencing.

If you’re a first-time offender or struggling with addiction, I’ll fight to get you into a treatment-based option that protects your record and your future instead of sending you to jail.

Felony Drug Charges

Felony drug cases typically involve possession for sale, trafficking, or manufacturing of controlled substances. These are far more serious, with the potential for lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record.

Prosecutors often use circumstantial evidence, like packaging, scales, or text messages, to claim there was an intent to sell. I know how to challenge those claims, question how the evidence was handled, and expose any constitutional violations or flaws in the prosecution’s case.

What I Actually Do to Protect Your Rights

I don’t hand your file off to an assistant or rely on boilerplate motions. I look at every fact, every police report, and every gap in the prosecution’s case to create a defense that’s built for you.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Targeting weaknesses early: I review every step of the arrest and investigation to identify mistakes or constitutional violations before they shape your case.
• Suppressing bad evidence: If law enforcement officers conducted an illegal search or failed to follow proper legal procedures, I move to have that evidence thrown out.
• Forcing the prosecution to prove more: I hold the state to its burden, exposing inconsistencies and building reasonable doubt around intent, possession, or knowledge.
• Pursuing real alternatives: I know the Riverside court system and the local judges. When possible, I secure alternative sentencing, diversion, or drug court participation that keeps you out of custody.
• Fighting for dismissal or reduction: I push for dismissed charges, favorable plea deals, or resolutions that avoid a permanent criminal record.

When you hire me, you get more than a criminal defense attorney; you get a strategist who knows how to turn the law and the facts to your advantage.