California Criminal Lawyer Blog

A 54-year-old woman and her 22-year-old daughter were arrested for attempting to smuggle more than 10 pounds of cocaine through Los Angeles International Airport. According to a CBS News report, both women are Spanish citizens who were on their way to Australia. A U.S. Customs officer noticed something unusual in the younger woman’s checked-in luggage. When officers probed packets of chocolate syrup and salad dressing, they found clear plastic bags containing a white paste that tested positive for cocaine. They also found more of the substance in the mother’s baggage. Both women were arrested and charged with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, they could face up to five years in federal prison.

Just possessing any type of controlled substance or narcotic is a crime under California law. Possession of a narcotic with the intent to distribute, sell, or transport is an even more serious crime. Intent to distribute charges are often filed by the prosecution when police officers confiscate large quantities of drugs from a person, when they find large quantities of cash along with the drugs, or find instruments, such as scales or baggies, which indicate that the drugs are meant for distribution or sale.

It is common for innocent people to get arrested or charged with possessing drugs with the intent for sale. In some cases, the drugs may not even belong to the defendant. This could be especially true if you are carrying items for someone else or if someone else packed your bags for you. The consequences of intent to distribute charges can be severe and often include a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines.

The experienced Los Angeles drug crime defense lawyers and Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long and successful track record of fighting unfair drug charges. If you or a loved one has been accused of drug possession or intent to distribute drugs, please contact us at (866) 430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.

Police in Sierra Madre arrested a woman in Arcadia for possession and/or being under the influence of narcotics. According to a news report in The Sierra Madre Patch, police arrested the woman following a traffic stop at the intersection of Don Pablo Drive and Foothill Boulevard the night of February 19. Police say the arrest also involves a possible parole violation. Officials have not said what type of substance the woman was under the influence of at the time of the arrest.

The penalties for drug crimes in Los Angeles County can be extremely severe. The nature and extent of charges in drug arrests will depend on the quantity of drugs confiscated, the defendant's intent to distribute or sell the drugs, and the defendant's prior criminal record. If there is a parole violation involved, the penalties could be significantly more severe. Consequences could include lengthy incarceration and other hefty penalties.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a Los Angeles drug crime, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced drug crime defense lawyer who will make sure that your rights are protected.

The knowledgeable Los Angeles drug possession lawyers of Takakjian & Sitkoff have successfully helped numerous repeat drug offenders obtain alternative sentencing including drug court. Our attorneys are former prosecutors with decades of combined trial experience. Please contact us at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case. It is our law firm's practice to independently reexamine all forensic evidence in drug cases so we can spot any inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the prosecution's case. Call us today to find out how we can help you.

A 31-year-old man from Ventura County was arrested in a parking lot for possession of methamphetamine on Monday, November 8. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the drug arrest was made near Rose Avenue and Lockwood Street in Oxnard. Police determined that the man had 3 ounces of methamphetamine on his person, which was valued at about $8,600. The man was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine for sale and sales of methamphetamine.

California Health & Safety Code 11378 makes it illegal to possess methamphetamine for sale. It is a felony crime that could result in a state prison sentence. The amount of illegal drugs found determines whether or not the individual will be charged with simple possession or possession with intent to sell. Defendants charged with possession with intent to sell face harsher penalties and have fewer legal options than those facing misdemeanor drug possession charges.

Defendants facing serious meth charges have it in their best interest to retain the services of a knowledgeable drug crime defense lawyer. A skilled drug attorney will determine if the defendant's rights were violated in any way before, during or after a drug arrest. When illegal search and seizure leads to a drug arrest, there is a good chance that the drug charges will be dropped and the case dismissed.

The Ventura drug crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff understand how to defend serious drug crimes in California. Please call us at 1-866-430-8383 to schedule a free consultation and drug case evaluation of your Ventura, Los Angeles or Orange County drug crime case.