California Criminal Lawyer Blog

Three men were arrested in Thousand Oaks recently for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine, according to The Ventura County Star. Ventura County Sheriff's deputies say there were alerted about a group of individuals who were at a Radio Shack in Moorpark buying a police scanner. Deputies later spotted the group and arrested the three men on drug charges, and were reported to have been in a stolen vehicle. A woman who was with them was arrested for alleged strong-arm robbery. An investigation is ongoing.

A drug offense in Ventura County usually involves the possession, sale or transportation of any drug, intoxicant or drug paraphernalia that is prohibited by law. A majority of drug offenses in California are felonies. Whether a drug crime is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depends on the quantity of drugs seized, the circumstances of the arrest, and the prior criminal history of the defendant. The consequences of a drug crime conviction can also be extremely severe. Depending on the nature and severity of the charges, a defendant could be looking at time in prison, hefty fines, or entering into a mandatory drug rehabilitation program.

For first-time drug offenders, alternative sentencing options may be available. Proposition 36, for example, allows a person convicted of a non-violent drug crime to get probation and drug treatment instead of jail time. Both first-time and repeat offenders may be able to participate in “drug court,” which is a special court that closely supervises select felony and misdemeanor drug cases. This program is not available to those involved in violent crimes. Another alternative is a “diversion” program where the defendant enters a guilty plea, but instead of getting sentenced to jail goes through a diversion program, which is a series of classes. Participants will be subject to random drug testing and a failed drug test could land the individual back in court or jail.

When it comes to drug crimes, jail or prison is not always the solution. The experienced Ventura County drug crime defense lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff have successfully handled a variety of drug cases from misdemeanor drug possession to felony crimes. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no-cost to learn how we can protect your rights.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, February 3, at a home in Redondo Beach for operating an illegal medical marijuana courier service, The Daily Breeze reports. Police served the man with a search warrant and found more than 600 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, along with equipment used for home cultivation. Police also confiscated equipment and products that could be potentially used to manufacture methamphetamine and other drugs.

California voters passed the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, making cultivation and possession of marijuana for medical use legal in the Golden State. However, the law gets complicated because possession or use of marijuana – medical or recreational – is still illegal under federal law. Under California law, medical marijuana patients can form collectives to grow and provide marijuana to each other. Often, such collectives are organized informally.

There is no question that the California laws relating to medical marijuana are murky. Thousands of medical marijuana growers and patients are still arrested across the state. Possessing or growing marijuana in California is defensible because it is legal in this state, although it continues to be banned by federal law. A narcotics conviction, especially for distribution or sale, can still result in serious penalties, including prison time.

If you have been arrested for using, possessing, or growing marijuana for medical purposes in Los Angeles, please remember that you have legal rights. Please contact the law offices of Takakjian & Sitkoff to find out more information about your legal rights and options with one of our Los Angeles marijuana defense lawyers. Call us today at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Those convicted of drug crimes in Los Angeles face stiff penalties, the most serious of them being jail or prison time. In some cases, alternative sentencing can be an option for those convicted of drug crimes. A skilled California drug charges defense attorney can work with a judge to determine if alternative sentencing is an option for a drug crime defendant.

Drug courts in California provide an opportunity for those who abuse drugs or have a continuing addiction issue. This is an opportunity for these individuals to receive treatment services in lieu of jail time. Instead of going to prison, candidates are required to attend recovery meetings and undergo frequent and random drug tests. Candidates are also required to make multiple court appearances to demonstrate their progress. By successfully finishing a drug court program, a candidate may avoid jail time while having his or her penalties reduced; and they may even have their California drug crime conviction dismissed!

Drug court requires the collaboration of judges, lawyers, drug abuse specialists, health officers, counselors and probation officers to create an environment that encourages drug recovery and rehabilitation. By subjecting themselves to enhanced supervision, drug court candidates have a support system to help them sober up and get their life back on track – something incarceration can never accomplish. The success and popularity of drug courts is growing in many California communities.

If you are facing drug charges in Orange, Los Angeles or Ventura counties, please do not hesitate to contact experienced California drug crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff. Call 1-866-430-8383 to find out if you may be eligible for drug court or any other form of alternative sentencing. We have helped several clients get in to drug court, seen them succeed and have their drug charges dismissed. Our goal is to keep you out of jail and get you the help you need.

Marijuana laws in California can be complicated and confusing. While some people can legally purchase, cultivate and use it for medicinal purposes, it remains an illegal substance under federal law. There are also a number of restrictions on marijuana possession and its transport that makes these laws complex and difficult to understand.

Growing any amount of marijuana is considered a felony under the Health and Safety Code section 11358. There are lesser charges for those accused of cultivation for personal use only. To determine if there is intent to sell, police will look for evidence such as large quantities of cash, “pays and owes” transaction ledgers, scales, substantial amounts of marijuana and packaging material. Under California law, it is legal for a medical patient and their caregiver, when applicable, to possess and cultivate marijuana. It is, however, still illegal to cultivate medical marijuana when there is intent to sell. You can only legally cultivate medical marijuana in California after receiving approval from a physician. And even then, it is still illegal under federal law.

Certain medical patients can legally grow it as long as they have no intent to sell it. Under California law, they cannot legally have it in their car (Vehicle Code 23222). The marijuana laws in California are even further confused by the fact that marijuana is still considered illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Fortunately, for those in need of medical marijuana, federal law rarely comes into play in marijuana cases in California unless large-scale distribution is suspected.

There are many conflicting California laws regarding marijuana and mistakes are often made. Laws are often misinterpreted. If you have been arrest for possession of marijuana, or falsely accused of possessing marijuana for sale, or you were arrested for cultivation or another related drug crime; call the experienced Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura marijuana defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff at 1-866-430-8383 to discuss your case.

Under California law, it is a crime to possess illegal or controlled substances such as marijuana, LSD, heroin, methamphetamine “meth” or cocaine. State and federal possession laws also make it illegal to possess chemicals that can be used to manufacture these drugs. The severity of drug charges in California depends on the amount of drugs found and the defendant's prior criminal record. If you have been charged with drug possession anywhere in Southern California, you need successful drug lawyers to represent you. Even a minor conviction may lead to lengthy prison time.

The amount of drugs that are found directly affects the severity of the charges. If a small amount of drugs are found, you may be facing a misdemeanor with probation. If the amount of drugs found is significant, you may be facing felony charges and time in state prison. If the amount of drugs that are found is considered more than one person would normally to use, then you may be charged with possession with intent to sell or distribute drugs.

Where the drugs are found and seized by police may directly affect the case against you. A California drug possession defense attorney will carefully examine the actions of the officers involved to make sure that your Constitutional Rights were not violated. If it is determined that your Constitutional Rights were violated, your drug case may be dismissed.

If you or a loved one is facing drug possession charges in Los Angeles, Orange or Ventura counties; please contact the drug defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff at 866-430-8383.We are ready to discuss your case help fight the drug charges against you.

The Fourth Amendment was created to protect the personal rights and privacy of American citizens. It gives people the right "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures." This law dictates how specific warrants must be sought, made and executed. When dealing with drug cases, this amendment becomes particularly important. How the police find and confiscate the drugs are crucial in any drug crime case. There are a number of factors that determine if the search and seizure of admissible evidence is valid in court.

The Fourth Amendment applies when you have a legitimate expectation of privacy. Did you expect some degree of privacy and was that expectation reasonable? For example, when you are in a public restroom, you expect to have privacy. A hidden camera in a public restroom or in the privacy of a hotel room is not legal police conduct. Did you give “consent” to the officer to search your car? Did the officer conduct a search of your pockets without your permission? Each of these could be a violation of your Fourth Amendment Rights.

If drugs are found in an illegal search, they cannot be used directly as evidence in a criminal prosecution. This is known as the exclusionary rule. While some believe this is an unfair loophole that lets criminals off on a technicality, others believe it is part of our rights as Americans to protect our privacy. The type and quantity of the drugs found dictate how serious the charges could be. If more drugs are found than one person can reasonably have for personal use, charges to distribute or possession for sale drug charges may be filed. Again, what the police did and how these drugs were obtained could make the difference between considerable fines and jail time versus having your case thrown out.

The Los Angeles and Orange County drug crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff understand the charges you are facing and how best to come up with a solid defense strategy. By examining your case carefully, we may be able to lessen your charges or have the case thrown out. Call us for a free consultation about your case 866-430-8383.

The San Luis Obispo County Narcotics Task Force arrested eight people on drug charges at a 420 festival. Central Coast News reports that the festival took place at the Pozo Saloon in Santa Margarita. The eight individuals arrested are all in their 20s and face a litany of drug charges from possession of drugs to sale. Some have been arrested and charged with selling a controlled substance. Others were charged with possession for sale of a controlled substance. All eight were charged with Health and Safety Code Section 11352. This safety code involves the possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

An experienced California drug crime defense lawyer will investigate an individual’s case to ensure that his or her Constitutional rights were not violated when evidence was being gathered, or during arrest or interrogation procedures. Attorneys must be well aware of search and seizure laws and be able to immediately assess whether the defendants' constitutional rights were violated.

A drug crime conviction can change your life forever. Even if you are able to lessen the charges against you, any conviction can hurt your employment prospects and subsequently your finances and your future. It’s important to meet these charges head-on with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who knows how to break down each detail of your case and build a strong, effective defense strategy.

Calling 866-430-8383 will connect you with an aggressive and knowledgeable drug crime defense attorney who can provide you with a free consultation. Takakjian & Sitkoff is a renowned Southern California criminal defense law firm with a stellar reputation and successful track record of defending clients against serious drug charges. Call us today to find out how we can help.

Natalie Nicole Mejia of the pop group Girlicious pleaded not guilty to procession of cocaine with intent to sell. She was arrested in Glendale, California in March. CBS 8 reports that police found more than a dozen bags of cocaine in her purse. She was stopped for a traffic infraction when the police found the drugs in her purse. She has posted the $30,000 bail, but is facing felony drug charges. She claims that the drugs were not hers and she does not know how they got into her purse.

Drug possession in California is a serious offense with potentially life changing penalties. Being charged with intent to sell has even greater ramifications. What changes a possession charge to a possession charge with intent to sell is the quantity of drugs found. When there are more drugs found than can be reasonably used by one person, it is assumed that the person found with the drugs plans to distribute them.

A Glendale drug crime defense attorney is necessary to help reduce the drug charges being held against you. An experienced California defense lawyer will examine the means by which the police obtained the evidence and determine if any evidence was illegally acquired. If you have been charged with possession in California, you need a defense lawyer ready to fight for you. Please contact the skilled criminal defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff by calling 866-430-8383. We always provide a free and comprehensive initial consultation to all clients.

Did you know that you can legally have medical marijuana in California prescribed to you, legally purchase it from an authorized marijuana distributor and then get arrested for possession of a controlled substance under federal law? Marijuana laws in California can be complicated and confusing. The majority of people arrested for drug crimes related to marijuana are small-time users who possess marijuana for personal use with no intent to sell. Millions of taxpayer dollars and countless hours of the court's time are spent prosecuting these cases.

According to a Reuters article, on Nov. 2, Californians will vote to potentially make California the first state in the United States to legalize marijuana. Currently, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense that carries a $100 fine. If it passes, the new law would make this possession legal for those over 21-years-old. In the meantime, Californians must continue to sort through the complicated drug laws that currently exist.

Remember that if you are facing drug charges in California, it is important to have proper legal representation to help defend your rights. The penalties for a drug crime conviction can be severe. Often Orange County drug crime arrests are made after illegal search and seizure operations by the police. Do not plead guilty to any drug crime charges without first seeing what an Irvine drug crime lawyer can do to help getting your charges thrown out.

The experienced Orange County criminal defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long history of protecting the rights of Californians. If you or a loved one faces drug crime charges, please call 866-430-8383 for a free consultation. We will fight to protect your legal rights and obtain the best possible result in your drug crime case.

Based on a recent OC Register story, the city of Seal Beach settled a lawsuit filed against the police department in which an Orange County resident alleged that the Seal Beach Police Department unlawfully confiscated 40 to 50 medical marijuana plants and coerced him into becoming a drug informant. The City Manager said that the lawsuit was settled for $32,500.

The man says that he legally grew and distributed medical marijuana under California state law. Seal Beach police officers entered his apartment and took photographs of his marijuana plants, despite his having produced documentation showing that he possessed the plants legally. The police department later turned the evidence over to federal authorities.

The man was arrested under federal drug laws and he alleged that he was forced to become a drug informant for the department, providing information about other marijuana providers and setting up drug deals. In spite of the settlement, the police department contends that the plaintiff volunteered to become an informant to avoid federal drug charges; and that he was an informant for the DEA and not for the Seal Beach Police Department.

Continue reading "Officials Pay Large Settlement in Marijuana Lawsuit" »

San Diego police discovered nearly 18 pounds of cocaine at a checkpoint along Interstate 5 recently, according to an OC Register article. The contraband drugs are estimated to have a street value of roughly $300,000. The checkpoint was conducted last Saturday and federally funded under a Department of Homeland Security grant called Operation Stonegarden in an effort to quell drug smugglers along the freeways. The checkpoint was located near the San Clemente Border Patrol inspection station.

When questioned by deputies, the two men in the vehicle raised suspicion when they gave differing responses about their destination. With the help of drug dogs, police discovered the cocaine in a newer model white Dodge truck. Both men were arrested for drug trafficking and possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

California is the leading state in the nation for arrests for possession of illegal drugs. According to the California Department of Corrections, about 20,000 of the state's 160,000 prisoners are confined for drug offenses. A California drug offense includes being under the influence of a controlled substance as well as possession, use, sale or furnishing of any drug or relating paraphernalia that is prohibited by the Health and Safety Code law, including cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana and ecstasy.

Continue reading "18 Pounds of Cocaine Found Near San Clemente Border" »

In the first decision of its kind in California, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that the retail sale of marijuana is not permitted under California state law. According to an LA Weekly article, the case was brought against a medical marijuana dispensary that the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office said was targeted because its product was found to have traces of pesticide. The marijuana dispensary was ordered to temporarily shut down. The ruling also stipulated that medical marijuana providers must comply with the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act which requires particular testing, labeling, warnings and product information to be provided to patients.

The California legal system’s treatment of marijuana use and cultivation derives primarily from the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (California Health & Safety Code Section 11357-11362.9), which provides protections from existing federal or state laws criminalizing marijuana use and cultivation for “seriously ill” Californians using the drug for medicinal purposes. The language of the legislation was left intentionally vague so as to allow regional authorities to make reasonable determinations about how to implement the marijuana law.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Judge Rules Retail Sale of Marijuana is Illegal" »

Local law enforcement officials seized 1,300 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $1 million. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, four men were arrested in the Ontario, California, home, which officials say was being used by a Mexican drug cartel. Agents apparently discovered about 1,200 pounds of marijuana inside two vehicles that were parked at the home. Another 100 pounds of pot were found inside the home along with scales, packaging materials and other documents that indicated that the pot was being sold. Investigators say the marijuana was grown in Mexico and was to be distributed across the United States.

A California drug offense refers to the possession, use, sale or furnishing of any drug or intoxicating substance or drug paraphernalia that is prohibited by law. Most drug offenses in the State of California are now felonies. The penalties for drug crimes in San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County or Orange County can be extremely severe. The nature or severity of the charges are usually based on the quantity of drugs seized, the intent to sell or distribute, and other factors such as use or possession of weapons, evidence that the drugs are being sold, and possession of large amounts of cash used for drug transactions. Charges also depend on a drug’s classification under the drug schedule and the purpose of the possession – whether it's for personal use or sale.

Continue reading "1,300 Pounds of Marijuana Seized from Los Angeles Area Home" »

Los Angeles police arrested three people for operating an elaborate marijuana growing operation in a San Fernando Valley industrial building barely 25 feet away from a police station. According to an Associated Press news report, the marijuana was discovered after officers served a search warrant at the building in Canoga Park. The indoor pot farm included lights, automatic irrigation and a ventilation system. Los Angeles Police Department Authorities say the three arrestees are facing multiple drug charges.

The severity of drug or marijuana cultivation charges in Los Angeles depend on the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the quantity and type of drugs that have been seized. If convicted of cultivating marijuana, even if you are part of a marijuana “collective”, those facing drug charges could be looking at significant jail time, hefty fines and other harsh penalties. Drug crimes involving possession of large quantities of marijuana or narcotics, possession for sale or transportation, will almost always involve felony charges. In California, a felony drug crime could well become a "third strike," which could send a defendant to prison for the rest of his or her life.

Continue reading "Three Arrested for Operating Indoor Pot Farm in Los Angeles" »

Two Los Angeles police officers and a former officer were charged with conspiracy and perjury for lying under oath in a Los Angeles drug crime case, according to an Associated Press news report. Two of the officers testified in a drug crime trial last year that they saw the defendant throw a dark object. One of the officers testified that he picked up the object and found crack cocaine.

Based on surveillance camera video obtained from the apartment complex where the incident occurred, a judge has determined that the officers took more than 20 minutes to "find" the drugs. The judge has also dismissed charges against the defendant. Not only are federal prosecutors now conducting a civil rights investigation, but the defendant has also filed a civil complaint against the LAPD alleging that the three officers planted evidence, wrote false police reports, and committed perjury.

This is an extremely disturbing case especially because it shows that sometimes, law enforcement officials can act unethically; lying about the evidence, falsifying police reports and even being untruthful under oath. This allegedly occurred in a drug crime case where the defendant had a lot at stake. Had the surveillance video not been obtained, this individual could have faced some serious jail time and many other hardships.

Continue reading "Three Los Angeles Police Officers Charged with Lying in Drug Crime Case" »

Three men in Orange County have been charged with various drug crimes after police officers in Placentia found hallucinogens and other drugs following a stakeout in a local neighborhood. According to a news report, police reportedly found cocaine, marijuana, heroin, illegal prescription pills, ecstasy pills as well as psilocybin; the active component in illegal hallucinogenic mushrooms. Police said they organized the stakeout after anonymous citizen informants told them about illegal drug activity in the area.

Drug charges are extremely serious in Orange County and Los Angeles County and come with severe consequences including jail or prison time. The drug charges are usually based on quantity, whether the drugs were possessed for personal use or possession for sale, intent to sell or distribute; and other factors such as evidence of weapons possession or use, drug transportation or sales, large amounts of cash and so on. The seriousness of drug charges normally depend on the quantity of drugs possessed, the classification under the drug schedule, and the purpose of the possession – whether it was for personal use or for sale.

Continue reading "Three Orange County Men Face Drug Charges" »

Six people, who allegedly work for a Mexican drug cartel, were arrested in Imperial County after undercover agents arranged to sell them 160 pounds of cocaine, according to a CBS News report. The arrests apparently involved a Mexican drug cartel believed to transport large amounts of cocaine through border crossings in Calexico. The suspects reportedly agreed to pay $1.1 million for the drugs the undercover agents promised to sell them. Each of the six defendants faces 15 years in prison if convicted of all charges that include possession and transportation of cocaine.

All drug crimes are serious. But the type of charges you could face depends on the nature and seriousness of the crime. In drug cases, some of the factors that could come into play include the type of drugs, the quantity of drugs and the reason for possession. If you possess a small amount of drugs for recreational use, the charges you face may not be as serious as if you possess large quantities of drugs meant for sale or transportation across state or international borders. Cases involving large-scale transportation of drugs or cases involving drug cartels are handled by federal authorities and federal courts.

Continue reading "Six Arrested in California Drug Sting" »

An Orange County man has been arrested after police in Irvine found more than 200 ecstasy tablets and 2.5 gallons of GHB ( a common “club drug’) in his vehicle. According to a news report, police found the 38-year-old man parked near an Irvine intersection. A vehicle search resulted in the drugs being found. Police later performed a search of the man's home and found more GHB and illegal steroids, the news report said. According to the article, the man was arrested for possessing a controlled substance for sale. This is most likely due to the large quantities of the drugs, which is an indication of possession for sales activity.

A drug offense in California refers to the possession, use, sale or furnishing of any drug or intoxicating substance or drug paraphernalia that is prohibited by law. Most drug offenses in California are now felonies. Possession of drugs for transportation or sale is a serious felony under California law. Currently, there are also more than 100 different types of anabolic steroids that have been developed, and each requires a prescription to be used legally in the United States. Illegal possession of anabolic steroids is also a crime.

Continue reading "Man Arrested for Possession of Drugs for Sale in Irvine" »

Drug crimes, especially those involving marijuana or concentrated cannabis, can be extremely complex and controversial because the laws involving these drugs are convoluted and difficult to understand. The San Bernardino Sun recently reported that the vice principal of a school in San Bernardino, who was arrested on charges of possessing marijuana for sale, told police that she was using the drug for medicinal purposes. Officials arrested the woman after finding 12 ounces of low-grade marijuana and 2.8 grams of a high grade variety in her SUV. The woman told officials that she started using medical marijuana two years ago for a bad knee. According to the news report, this woman did not have a doctor authorization document at the time of her arrest.

The California Compassionate Use Act of 1996 or Proposition 215 legalized the possession and cultivation of marijuana for personal use with a doctor's recommendation. Police cannot arrest or charge a person who has a doctor's prescription. Often referred to as a “Medical Marijuana Card” for marijuana use. Still, we often see law enforcement agencies continue to arrest individuals who possess even small amounts of marijuana for medical use. When it comes to medical marijuana, the law is complex and can seem unclear because although Prop 215 allows medical marijuana in California, yet the drug is still illegal under federal law.

Continue reading "Woman Says She Was Arrested for Possession of Medical Marijuana" »

As a California Criminal Defense Law Firm, Takakjian & Sitkoff is happy to share their new drug crime website as an important resource for those interested in learning more about laws surrounding drug offenses and the consequences of such crimes. The new website, www.californiadrugcrimedefenselawyer.com/, supplies a wide-range of information regarding misdemeanor drug charges, felony drug charges, drug manufacturing, drug possession, drug distribution, and many other elements of drug offenses.

In accordance with efforts to lower crime, laws pertaining to drug crimes are subject to change, in which the public should be kept up-to-date on such developments that could potentially directly affect them. The lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff are pleased to have their drug crime website available as a means of helping educate the public on new and existing critical laws surrounding drug offenses. Drug charge penalties can be quite severe and mostly depend on the amount of drugs a person is accused of possessing, in addition to the kind of drug or drugs in question. Whether or not a person facing drug charges has a previous criminal record will also influence the charges held against them.

The experienced California drug crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have devoted many years to ensuring that those accused of a drug offense are aware of their rights and receive quality legal representation. For more information regarding drug crime general facts, legal resources, or more, visit www.californiadrugcrimedefenselawyer.com/. The California drug crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff can be reached at 866-430-8383.

There is an interesting news article about drug court in the Desert Dispatch. The article talks about a San Bernardino County court program which makes healthy living and employment mandatory for program participants who are recovering from drug addiction. This particular drug court program encourages healthy activities such as sports for recovering addicts through mandatory monthly activities. In order to be part of the program, participants must go to mandatory court hearings, pass drug tests, participate in drug treatment and work toward getting a job. In Barstow alone, there are 62 individuals participating in the drug court program.

Drug courts all over Southern California are becoming an extremely popular alternative to jail for those convicted of relatively minor drug crimes, such as possession of drugs and being under the influence of drugs. A study in 2005 in Barstow, California showed that recidivism rates were remarkably lower for those who participated in a drug court.

The study found fewer drug court graduates were rearrested. The statistics for those rearrested after completing the program were 17 percent of drug court grads and 29 percent of drug court participants. This study used information from a number of California counties including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and other counties.

Continue reading "Drug Courts Help Lower Relapse as a Good Alternative to Jail" »

Federal and local agents raided two medical marijuana dispensaries in the Los Angeles area arresting the 50-year-old owner of the dispensaries at his home. According to an Associated Press news report, drug task force agents served a state search warrant at the medical marijuana collectives at Culver City and West Los Angeles. Officials apparently seized 100 pounds of marijuana, 200 live plants and about $100,000 in cash, the news report said.

The passage of California's Proposition 215 legalized medical marijuana possession in this state. However, marijuana possession is still illegal under federal law. This has led to problems with enforcement in California, especially in the Los Angeles area, where medical marijuana dispensaries are raided by federal drug enforcement agents. This discrepancy between federal and state law has resulted in numerous drug crime arrests and charges that are not actually warranted. Most medical marijuana dispensaries and collectives are operating legally under state law. The voters of California approved the possession and use of marijuana for medical purposes. This discrepancy between federal and state law should be resolved.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Medical Mariuana Dispensaries Raided, Owner Arrested" »

According to this report in the Los Angeles Times, federal agents have raided several Westside medical marijuana dispensaries recently, which has outraged supporters who claim that the raids violate California state law. Proposition 215, which legalized medical marijuana for people with serious illnesses and reduced criminal penalties for marijuana possession, was passed by California voters in 1996. However, under federal law, marijuana possession, cultivation, and delivery are still illegal activities and enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at least three groups of DEA agents served search warrants on medical marijuana dispensaries around noon, according to DEA spokeswoman Sarah Pullen. "I can't get into details as to the probable cause behind the warrants except for the fact that they're dealing with marijuana, which is illegal under federal law," she said.

Charlie Beck, Chief of Detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department said, “DEA has a legal right to do what they're doing. Is it controversial? Yes."

Continue reading "LA Drug Crime Raids Upset Medical Marijuana Supporters" »

A woman who faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence of narcotics, was named by law enforcement authorities recently, according to this article in the Los Angeles Times. Law enforcement officials named Alisha Nichole Mankin as the person responsible for a televised chase which caused three different traffic accidents and involved pursuit from numerous law enforcement agencies. According to authorities, Mankin, of the Antelope Valley of Littlerock, and a friend left a storage facility in a rented U-Haul truck around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2009.

Sometime later, Mankin and her passenger were spotted by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy engaging in suspicious activity after they stopped their rented truck by a car on the side of the road. The deputy approached the two and discovered the passenger had narcotics in his possession, so they were arrested for California drug possession. But according to California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Winter, Mankin attempted to flee the scene rather than be arrested. Winter said, “The guy is in possession of narcotics, and he’s arrested. As the deputy is putting him into his cruiser, she decides to take off running. She gets into the U-Haul because the keys are in it and takes off."

Continue reading "Los Angeles U-Haul Chase Suspect Faces Multiple Charges" »