In California, it is against the law to sell, transport, distribute or import unlawful controlled substances. In fact, all drug distribution crimes in Orange County are charged as felonies. Being charged and convicted of drug distribution can result in a lengthy prison sentence and have long lasting effects on your professional and financial future. Anyone facing distribution charges in Orange County would be well advised to build a defense and fight the charges.
If you have been arrested on suspicion of drug distribution, you may be confused about where to turn for help or be uncertain about how to proceed further. It is important to understand that drug transportation and distribution fall under “drug trafficking.” The penalties will be significantly higher than a simple possession charge.
It would be in your best interest to fight these charges with the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The drug crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of David A. Stein have a successful track record in fighting drug charges in Orange County. Please contact us to find out how we can help you.
Drug Distribution Charges
You can face distribution charges in Orange County even if drugs are not in your possession. As long as the prosecution believes that you were involved in controlling the movement and transportation of the drugs, you will face charges. Unless you are charged with distributing less than 28.5 grams of marijuana as a gift, you will face felony level charges with severe penalties.
Penalties for Marijuana Distributions
If you only possess marijuana, you will face misdemeanor charges. However, if you possess the drugs with the intention of selling them or delivering them, the charges increase to a felony. Here are a few examples of distribution related charges and their penalties with regard to marijuana:
- Possession of any amount of marijuana with intent to distribute is a felony punishable by 16 months to three years of incarceration
- Selling any amount of marijuana is a felony punishable by two to four years of incarceration
- Selling marijuana as an adult to a minor is a felony that can result in three to seven years of incarceration
