The Crime of Drug Transportation in California - HS 11352
Drug transportation criminal charges are covered under California Health and Safety Code 11352.It's defined as knowingly moving illegal drugs from one location to another.
This type of drug crime is taken very seriously by police and prosecutors in Los Angeles as this type of offense has become an increasingly severe problem in the area due to California's border with Mexico.
If your drug crime case involved transporting drugs within the state of California, the case will by handled by local state prosecutors where the alleged offense occurred.
However, the drug crime case could be tried by federal prosecutors if you transported drugs across a state line or an international border. Federal Sentencing Guidelines typically dictate much higher punishment.
Our law firm defends drug trafficking and sales cases in Los Angeles County and Federal Court.
California Health and Safety Code 11379 covers the sale or transportation of methamphetamine. California Health and Safety Code 11375.5 defines the crime of selling or possessing synthetic stimulants.
California Penal Code 186.10 PC defines the serious crime of money laundering. This offense involves taking money obtained from illegal or criminal activity and then channeling it into bank accounts or other legitimate uses so that the source of the funds is untraceable.
An experienced Los Angeles drug transportation lawyer at our law firm can assist you no matter what type of illegal drug you are accused of transporting, including cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, or any other type of controlled substance.
Legal Penalties for a Drug Transportation Conviction
California state and federal sentences after a conviction vary depending on a variety of different factors.
They include the amount of drugs being transported, geographical area involved in your drug transportation case, whether minors were sold to or targeted, and the defendant's prior drug convictions.
Regardless of whether you are criminally charged at the state or federal level, the potential consequences of a conviction are extremely harsh and life-altering, including:
- State prison sentence of up to five years,
- Large fines,
- Probation,
- Court-ordered drug counseling or rehabilitation,
- Community service,
- A permanent mark on your criminal record,
- Deportation for undocumented aliens.
Legal Defenses Against Drug Transportation Charges
Every drug crime case has its own set of unique circumstances and evidence. It's critical to conduct a thorough review of all the specific details leading up to the arrest in order to develop a strong defense strategy.
Our Los Angeles drug transportation lawyers have handled numerous cases where our client was arrested for transporting illegal drugs.
Often, the main factor in successfully defending our clients these types of drug crime cases involves:
- Illegal search and seizure,
- Police failed to establish probable cause,
- Police arrested the wrong person,
- Police used entrapment,
- Police did not handle the evidence properly,
- You were not aware you had possession of the illegal drugs.
It's critical to have an experienced Los Angeles drug transportation defense attorney begin working on your drug crime case early in the legal process.
There are very important issues, such as how your case will be filed and what specific drug charges you might face.
These legal decisions by the Los Angeles County prosecutor are often made soon after an arrest or during a criminal investigation.
Early intervention by an expert criminal defense lawyer at our law firm gives us an opportunity to negotiate with the prosecutor and potentially reduce or dismiss the drug charges against you before you even appear for the first court date.
History of Success Fighting Drug Transportation Charges
Our law firm has successfully defended many clients facing any type state or federal drug transportation case.
For example, our client was charged with a federal drug transportation of five tons of marijuana.
After aggressive negotiations wit the federal prosecutor, our client avoided the mandatory minimum prison term per the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
On another case in Ventura County Court, our client was charged with transporting illegal drugs.
A Los Angeles drug transportation lawyer from our law firm was successful in filing a suppression motion that lead to the drug case being dismissed at the preliminary hearing.
Call a Los Angeles Drug Transportation Attorney 24/7
If you are under criminal investigation for drug transportation, do not make any statements to law enforcement detectives.
It's critical to remain silent as anything you say can be used against you in court.
Police detectives and prosecutors are paid to make arrest and secure convictions. Don't help them. Without an aggressive and skilled Los Angeles drug crime lawyer fighting on your behalf, you might face a conviction which could result in life-changing consequences.
Having a drug transportation conviction on your record will severely limit your future opportunities and permanently tarnish your reputation.
Our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience dealing with police detectives and Los Angeles County prosecutors involving drug transportation charges.
A conviction carries harsh legal consequences. Call a Los Angeles drug transportation lawyer at Eisner Gorin LLP to review the details of your case. Our attorneys are available 24/7 by calling our law firm at 877-781-1570.
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