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Being charged with the transportation of drugs can be extremely stressful. For now, your wisest path forward is to focus on how to beat a drug transportation charge in California, not what you could have done differently or what your future might look like.
An experienced drug transportation attorney can guide you in your next steps based on the details of your charges. Below are a few tips to help you improve your case outcomes.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney As Soon As Possible
Your first step after being charged with any crime should be to retain an experienced attorney. The knowledge and skills of your attorney will make or break your case. It’s worth looking for a seasoned criminal defense attorney with experience defending drug transportation charges.
The sooner you hire an attorney, the faster they can begin gathering evidence to defend you. Valuable evidence becomes lost in the days after your arrest. Your attorney can set to work immediately building your defense and doing their part to improve your case.
Understand What You Are Being Charged With
The next step in how to beat a drug transportation charge in California is understanding exactly what your charges are. Drug transportation or distribution refers to selling, transporting, or otherwise distributing controlled substances. It is a distinct charge from dispensing, which involves delivering the controlled substance to the ultimate user, and administering, which means applying it to the user through injection or other means.
Drug distribution is a felony in California and is more severe than simple possession. The penalties can range between 16 months and nine years in prison and fines between $20,000 and $500,000.
Your defense may involve proving that you were not distributing drugs, reducing your charges to simple possession, or another offense.
Explore Possible Defenses
Your criminal defense attorney will review the circumstances of your arrest and the evidence against you to build a strong defense. The goal is to weaken the prosecutor’s evidence, as the burden of proof is on the state, not you.
Common defenses in these cases include:
- Unlawful search: The officer who searched you lacked probable cause, violating your Fourth Amendment rights.
- Entrapment defense: Law enforcement tricked you into delivering the controlled substances, and you otherwise would not have committed this crime.
- Lack of evidence: Perhaps the prosecution simply does not have enough evidence to convict you or lacks sufficient proof even to initiate charges against you.
- Disruption in the chain of custody: The chain of custody refers to the record of how evidence has been handled since it originated. If you can challenge the authenticity of this chain, you may be able to claim that evidence is no longer admissible in court.
Be on Your Best Behavior
If you want to beat a drug transportation charge in California, you should follow the court’s instructions precisely and stay out of trouble while you wait for trial. Your attorney can help you remember all court dates and other requirements to improve your reputation in the eyes of the judge. This could make the difference between a 16-month sentence and a multi-year one.
Let Our Attorneys Defend Your Drug Transportation Charges in California
At The Law Office of Elliott Kanter, we understand how stressful facing criminal charges can feel. Let us reduce your stress by explaining how to beat a drug transportation charge in California and crafting a strong defense.
We will listen to the details of your arrest and gather evidence to show that the charges against you are not warranted. Contact us today at 619-231-1883 or fill out our contact form, and we will reach out as soon as possible to discuss your case.
