Los Angeles Methamphetamine Lawyers
Methamphetamine is a growing problem in California, and the result has been a wave of legislation to enact tougher penalties. The practical effects for drug users have been swift, including harsher sentencing and a crackdown on the full pipeline of products that may act as precursors to meth manufacturing. A number of Los Angeles criminal attorneys are fighting back, however, using a good understanding of the system to find errors in police protocol, identify poor evidence, and to encourage leniency. If you have been charged with a meth crime, job one is to speak with a defense attorney about what the charges mean and how best to mount an effective defense.
The law defines methamphetamine as a Schedule II drug, which is reserved for drugs that have a legitimate medical use, but may be abused frequently. Some common opiates generally fall on the list, for instance, and amphetamines do as well. The resulting laws can sometimes appear schizoid, as many of these drugs may be proscribed freely for medical reasons. If you possess a recreational stash of meth, however, you may be facing up to a year in jail. The penalties escalate from there depending on quantity and intent.
Distribution and transportation of meth, for instance, are considered more serious offenses. Possession of meth for sale may result in three years in prison, distribution may come with four years, and manufacturing can land you in a state penitentiary for up to seven years. The reasoning behind such sentencing is simple: greater quantities and the intent to sell involve many more users, so the punishment scales appropriately. Proving such malign intent and conducting a raid are delicate operations, however, and any mistake on the part of police or prosecutors could offer you a second chance to beat the charge.
The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have been defending clients against meth charges for more than 30 years. Our record of success is unsurpassed in Southern California, and our approach is one of the most thorough, compassionate and effective in the region. If you have been charged with a major offense and want to avoid jail time, do yourself a favor and speak with the Los Angeles drug crime attorneys at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today. Often one conversation is all you need to get your questions answered, and to begin planning a successful defense.