Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

It's unlikely that the 44-year-old woman who was charged with having marijuana on her when she visited her son at a juvenile camp will walk away with Mother of the Year honors.

But, she could walk away with a conviction of a Los Angeles marijuana charge that could be a frustration for life.

Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers recognize that much has been made in the past year of the medical marijuana industry in California. Court rulings have led cities and counties to ban small businesses trying to operate under state law.

This has led to patients who legally can grow and use marijuana for medicinal purposes to try to find a way to dull the pain of illnesses that often are life-threatening. Sometimes, patients are arrested and charged with crimes for trying to use a drug the state says they can legally use. Other times, medical marijuana dispensary owners or cultivators are brought up on drug charges over a misunderstanding.

The conflict is unlikely to slow down any time soon, as court rulings are being anticipated and pressure from federal prosecutors continues to linger. Because federal drug laws vary from California's medical marijuana law, there will always be conflicts and problems.

In this case, it's unclear if the woman legally is allowed to use marijuana or if the drug she was found to possess was illegally purchased and possessed. According to the Los Angeles Times, the woman, from Pomona, went to Camp Glenn Rockey, which is a juvenile probation camp to visit her son.

The newspaper reports that visitors are searched for weapons, drugs or other illegal items before they are allowed to enter the facility. During a routine check, officials reportedly found "bundles" of marijuana, as well as a counterfeit medical marijuana card. They also discovered she had an outstanding warrant.

Officials said they have stepped up their searches in recent months after finding more and more drugs, particularly marijuana, in dorm rooms of the teens on campus. The woman now faces charges of suspicion of bringing narcotics into a jail facility as well as charges for the outstanding warrant.

Many California residents have medical marijuana authorization cards and proving which are real and which are fake may be difficult. People get stopped all the time by law enforcement for traffic violations and end up arrested on drug charges because they may not be carrying the correct forms that police want to see to prove the driver can legally possess marijuana.

Part of this is political, as police don't like the fact that residents can legally use the drug. And part of it, at times, is a matter of law enforcement trying to make other people's lives more difficult simply because they have the power to do so. Marijuana charges can be misdemeanors or felonies and range in punishment from days in jail to years in prison, depending on many factors. Trust in an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer to fight for your rights in a marijuana drug case.

Continue reading "Mother Faces Los Angeles Marijuana Charge After Arrest at Juvenile Camp" »

Los Angeles rapper Snoop Dog was recently arrested in a Texas border town after his tour bus was stopped and drug-sniffing dogs alerted authorities to drugs onboard, the Associated Press reports.

Charges of marijuana in Los Angeles have been complicated in the last 15 years since voters passed laws to enable Californians to legally produce, sell and use marijuana for medical purposes. As part of marijuana reform in California, possessing an ounce or less of marijuana has been reduced to an infraction.

But our Los Angeles marijuana defense lawyers also recognize that many law enforcement officers haven't given medical marijuana users the type of respect given to people who have prescriptions for pain killers in pill form. In fact, statistics have shown that prescription drug abuse is one of the most widespread crime facing our country, yet medical marijuana users, distributors and cultivators are being pressured.

In this case, Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, was arrested at the sierra Blanca highway checkpoint. He was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia after officers found a prescription bottle with marijuana joints in it in a trashcan in the back of the bus. In sum, 0.13 pounds of marijuana was found.

Border patrol agents said a drug-sniffing dog smelled marijuana coming from the bus and officers ordered everyone off so the dog could sniff around. Broadus admitted the drug was his and received a citation before being released.

Even though Snoop Dogg says he has a legal license in California to smoke marijuana for migraines and blurred vision, Texas officials have a zero tolerance policy on drugs. So, officials there say his medical marijuana identification card means nothing.

This is sometimes a problem for people who travel out of state but who, in California, legally can use the drug. For a cancer patient who relies on marijuana as a pain killer instead of more expensive pain pills and travels out of California, their routine is thrown off. Or, they attempt to continue their routine and are stuck facing criminal charges.

Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys understand this is a dilemma for many Californians and we are dedicated to helping in any way we can. California's laws, while enable some people to legally possess marijuana, are also designed to punish those who have the drug and aren't permitted to use it.

According to the California Code, marijuana possession charges typically are considered misdemeanors, but it largely depends on the amount and where it is located. For instance, more than an ounce can be filed as a misdemeanor and send a person to jail for up to six months. But inducing a minor to smoke marijuana can be a felony punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison.

Cultivation, sale and trafficking of marijuana can all be punished as felonies with possible jail or prison sentences of up to seven years, making for major charges. If a person is designated and allowed by state law to cultivate or sell medical marijuana, the charges likely don't apply. But because the state's marijuana laws conflict with federal drug laws, there is always the threat of charges on the federal level as well.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Rapper Snoop Dog Arrested on Marijuana Charge in Texas" »

A recent criminal case out of New York shows us that criminal appeals can play an integral role in determining the outcome for a defendant.

What some people don't realize is that a Los Angeles criminal appeal is available not only for the defendant, but also for the state. Prosecutors can appeal favorable rulings for defendants just like defendants can appeal rulings that help the state's case.

Our Los Angeles criminal appeals lawyers believe that even a well-argued case before a trial judge can turn rocky on appeal, so employing a well-versed criminal appeals lawyer may end up being as necessary or more necessary than hiring a defense attorney.

Take, for example, the case of United States v. Steppello out of New York. In this case, the man faced drug charges and in the course of the case, his lawyers brought up a motion to suppress cocaine seized from him during a warrant-less arrest as well as evidence from his residence. They also were successful in suppressing his statement after arguing there was no probable cause to support the arrest.

It was a big victory for the defendant and his lawyers because without this evidence, the prosecution wouldn't have much of a way to prove the case. These were critical pieces of evidence that would now be kept out of trial. The prosecutors even appealed the decision, arguing that the judge shouldn't have suppressed the evidence in the first place.

But the government appealed these decisions and on appeal, a panel of judges agreed with the state and reversed the lower court's decision. It then became a major blow to the defendant, who probably felt pretty good that he had gotten such a favorable ruling earlier on.

This is why an experienced Los Angeles criminal appeals lawyer is so important. As a defendant, you can never let your guard down. The prosecution has many resources and will use all of them in pursuit of a conviction. The more high-profile of a case, the more they will do to try to score a prison sentence for the defendant.

On appeal, prosecutors were able to convince a panel of judges that the lower court judge was wrong when ruling that police didn't have probable cause to make the arrest and they ruled that the cocaine and statements made during his arrest shouldn't have been suppressed.

Based on that ruling, the court also overturned the lower court's order that evidence seized from the man's residence should also be admitted, amounting to a clean sweep for the prosecution. Everything that was suppressed was put back into play and not only that, but the appeals court transferred the case to a different judge, noting that the same judge ignored rulings made by the appeals court in a different, but similar, case.

A defendant must always keep the pressure on and never assume they have won until the final appeal has been raised. There are always going to be opportunities for the prosecution to try to change the opinion of a judge. That's why hiring an experienced Los Angeles criminal appeals lawyer is vital to a suspect's case.

Continue reading "United States v. Steppello Shows Appeals Critical, Including Los Angeles Criminal Appeals" »

Any person charged with a crime must be aware of the effects that an arrest and conviction can have on his or her life. That can include the obvious penalties of jail or prison time, fines and fees, probation and other sanctions.

But for immigrants in Los Angeles, they have even more at stake -- possibly being deported out of the country that they have come to call home.

As Moncrieffe v. Holder, Jr. shows, a seemingly minor arrest can lead to major penalties by the federal government.

Even an arrest for marijuana possession in Los Angeles can lead authorities to attempt to deport the arrested person, even if he or she is in this country legally. This is why it's even more important for a defendant in this situation to hire an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer who understands the consequences of a conviction.

In this case, a Georgia man, who had been in the country legally from Jamaica since 1984, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He later pleaded guilty, which led federal authorities to try to deport him.

The Board of Immigration Appeals found that his plea should be considered a felony under the Controlled Substances Act even though it was a misdemeanor in Georgia. Also, the board found it to be an "aggravated felony" under immigration law. The man appealed, but the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denied his petition to review the case.

Moncrieffe, who is a native of Jamaica, but who has been in the United States legally since he was 3 in 1984, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in Georgia in 2008. He was sentenced to five years probation. Shortly after the plea, federal authorities attempted to remove him from the country, arguing that he was convicted of a "drug trafficking crime" under federal law.

While court documents didn't indicate how much marijuana he was accused of possessing and because the government wasn't able to prove he didn't have more than a small amount, he argued the crime should be considered a federal misdemeanor, not a felony.

The appellate court ruled that if a state statute is divisible, meaning some types of crimes for the specific act can be punished as either misdemeanors or felonies, then it can be considered a felony for purposes of federal immigration law. So, even though there was no evidence he had more than a small amount of marijuana, the court ruled that it should still be considered an aggravated felony.

Appeals courts are split on whether this is a smart way of doing things, the judges even note in their ruling. Courts in New England and parts of the Midwest have ruled that these types of crimes are always felonies, while courts in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have ruled that they should be misdemeanors.

This court ruled that Moncrieffe had the burden to show that his conduct was of a misdemeanor level and therefore they denied his appeal.

Continue reading "Immigration Status at Risk in Criminal Cases, as Shown in Moncrieffe v. Holder, Jr." »

On the heels of a previous pill-mill bust in Los Angeles, federal authorities have made 16 more arrests after raiding pharmacies and alleging a large-scale Medicare fraud scheme, The Associated Press reports.

As the Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog reported recently, federal authorities broke up what they are calling a pill-mill operation where 1 million OxyContin pills were sold for $23 to $27 per pill, and people's identities and Medicare beneficiary information were stolen.

Cases of insurance fraud in Los Angeles can be complex to prove if there is an accused large network of co-conspirators. In cases like this, the prosecution must be able to show that every person accused as part of the alleged conspiracy intended to participate in the illegal action -- from the ringleaders on down.

But charges of insurance fraud can carry serious penalties, whether charged in state court or federal court. Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers are prepared to handle charges of fraud and drug crimes in Los Angeles as these pill-mill investigations continue to pop up.

In this case, Manor Medical Imaging Clinic of Glendale is at the center of the dispute. According to a federal complaint, a doctor there wrote prescriptions for anti-psychotic drugs including Seroquel, Abilify and Zyprexa. They were billed to Medicare and Medi-Cal, but authorities allege the drugs didn't go to the beneficiaries. Instead, they were sold on the black market and sent to San Gabriel Valley, where pharmacists repackaged and resold them.

Authorities allege that some Medicare beneficiaries had their identities stolen, which led to them not being able to get the drugs they needed later on. Targeted in the alleged scam were the homeless, veterans, the poor and the elderly. The main pharmacy alleged in the case is Huntington Pharmacy in San Marino. Court documents state the pharmacy had $45,000 in Medi-Cal claims in 2009, but that spiked to $1.5 million in 2010.

According to the news article, those charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud could face up to 30 years in prison, if convicted.

As prescription drug fraud and insurance fraud has become more and more popular, these investigations have increased as well. That means that there will likely be more indictments, more large-scale "busts" and trials of those charged.

Pharmacists, doctors and others in the medical industry are facing a challenge right now as federal investigators look at everything they do. Even a small mistake could lead to very serious charges. And while it may appear to the public that every person charged is guilty, that's simply not the case. A federal complaint can have big words and be written very convincingly, but until the case gets to trial, these defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

To show that each person was responsible for the fraud is a challenge, as is proving that every person was part of a scheme and not simply doing what bosses instructed them to do. And in many of these cases, one co-defendant may not have ever met or spoken with another co-defendant or know who they were.

What may appear as a well-formed scheme from the outside may not be as connected and intertwined as believed by the government. That's why these defendants require a fair trial to sort out all the facts and with the help of an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, they can get that.

Continue reading "Feds Make Arrests In Alleged $18 Million Medicare Fraud in Los Angeles" »

A recent Los Angeles Times article lays out charges filed against 14 people, including an elderly doctor, who allegedly participated in an illegal OxyContin insurance fraud scam.

"Pill mills" and other prescription drug-based crimes are on the rise in the United States as law enforcement has changed its focus from heroin and cocaine level drugs to prescription drugs as buyers and sellers change their preference.

But in the past, the only people charged in drug crimes in Los Angeles were the buyers and sellers and maybe a few distributors.

Today, more and more people are getting wrapped up in Los Angeles insurance fraud cases alleging that they, doctors, pharmacists and others were involved in schemes to not only illegally sell prescription drugs, but to defraud insurance companies at the same time. Los Angeles insurance fraud defense lawyers must be consulted if a situation like this arises.

According to the Times, a two-year investigation revealed that more than a dozen people allegedly participated in the scheme, largely based on insurance fraud.

A federal indictment alleges doctors wrote prescriptions for the painkiller to uninsured patients who didn't need it. The conspirators also got pills from pharmacies by fraudulently billing insurance companies, including the publicly run Medicare.

According to investigators, the pills were resold for $23 to $27 per pill and they sold more than 1 million pills. Identity theft and Medicare beneficiary information theft was also alleged as part of the scam.

Along with clinic operators, two doctors, aged 88 and 73, are accused of participating. Recruiters, pill runners or fake patients are the others accused in connection with the alleged operation. Initially, 10 of the 14 were arrested, while authorities looked for the remaining defendants.

The accused are charged with drug conspiracy or healthcare fraud. One of the clinic operators also is charged with wholesale distribution of OxyContin. The defendants face a maximum of 10 to 40 years in prison.

Insurance fraud is simple in concept, but complex on a case-by-case basis. Insurance fraud in Los Angeles is simply defrauding an insurance company through false pretenses. In situations like these, it means filing claims with insurance companies for drugs that a person doesn't need or setting up claims on behalf of a person whose identity has been stolen.

When drugs are involved, the case can become more complex, because potential drug laws could be broken in the process as well, adding to the possible penalties and attracting more attention from authorities fighting the "War on Drugs."

Insurance fraud in California can be different than federal charges of fraud. The penalties can vary and the elements of the crime are different as well. Being charged in state versus federal court can make a big difference for a defendant in terms of penalties, how the case plays out and how the sentencing is handled.

Continue reading "OxyContin Insurance Fraud Scheme Alleged in Los Angeles" »

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies raided a property north of Lancaster and found 100 roosters, $1 million in methamphetamine and children living in substandard conditions, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The defendants thus far face drug charges only while sheriff's deputies continue their investigation,

Charges of drug possession in Los Angeles can be serious, depending on the type of drug, the alleged conduct of the accused, location of the offense and the quantity of the drug.

There are many factors that go into what kind of penalties a person could face when charged with a drug offense. Because of overcrowded California jails, California's Proposition 36 allows Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers to petition the court to allow a defendant to serve time in a drug treatment program instead of going to jail.

This has been beneficial to many of our clients because they not only avoid jail time and can possibly maintain their job, but they can also get the treatment they may need to get their lives straightened out. Proposition 36 applies to those who have small amounts of drugs on them, typically low-profile drugs unlike heroin or cocaine, and who don't possess weapons or refuse treatment.

This can be a helpful alternative to incarceration not only for the state, which is dealing with unprecedented overcrowding issues, but also defendants, who can put their life together without suffering the consequences of jail.

In this case, deputies obtained a search warrant for a residence in an unincorporated area of the county north of Lancaster after conducting a narcotics investigation.

When deputies served the warrant, they found 100 roosters, which they suspect were involved in cockfighting, $1 million -- or five pounds -- of methamphetamine, and seven children living in dilapidated sheds.

The children, ages 4 to 17, were turned over to child welfare officials. It's unclear what relationship, if any, the children have with the accused. Deputies also found firearms during the raid as well as sparring materials and steroids that they suspect were used for the roosters.

Six adults are now charged with narcotics violations, though authorities haven't released their names. Given the details released by the sheriff's department, it's possible these individuals could end up also facing additional charges related to child abuse and animal abuse in Los Angeles.

As in any case involving a search warrant, the defendants must heavily scrutinize the affidavit prepared to get the search warrant. Investigators must have proven they had good cause to go into the property on more than a "hunch" or a "witch hunt."

And if the information they provided to the judge is false or if they misled the judge into signing for the search warrant, it's possible that the evidence collected could be deemed unusable at trial. That could lead to having the charges dropped or at least downgraded. In a case where drugs, animal abuse and child abuse are all in play, that should be one of the first things considered by a lawyer.

Continue reading "Cockfighting, Drugs, Child Abuse Alleged After Los Angeles Search Warrant Issued" »

A recent strange story out of Los Angeles shows just how far prosecutors will go in order to secure convictions for those involved in drug offenses in Los Angeles.

According to the Los Angeles Times, prosecutors have appealed the decisions by an L.A. County Superior Court Judge who they say was biased against the prosecution in dismissing charges against two people. The defendants were convicted of conspiracy to obtain medications under a false name for the now-deceased former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith.

This is an extraordinary step by Los Angeles prosecutors who would seek to discredit a judge in order to attempt to cover up their own failures. But it's not all that surprising to Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys. High-profile cases sometimes make state prosecutors do weird things, including acting out of the ordinary because they know the spotlight is on them.

This case boiled down to Smith's longtime companion Howard K. Stern and psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich, who went on trial on charges of seeking to get prescription drugs for Smith by using false names. A jury found them guilty of conspiracy to obtain medications under a false name, but the judge later dismissed all but one misdemeanor conviction.

After sitting through the trial and seeing the facts, the judge found that the convictions weren't supported by the state's evidence, despite the jury's findings. He called the case a "kitchen sink prosecution," meaning prosecutors didn't have much real proof, but rather threw a lot of evidence out in the hopes it would stick in the form of a conviction.

But prosecutors say the judge was influenced by the "celebrity" nature of the case by ruling that celebrities seek privacy from the public in these matters. The state argued that the actions weren't taken out of concern for Smith's privacy, but to avoid being detected by state authorities.

High-profile cases need not involve a celebrity, even in Los Angeles. But the power of the news media carries a lot of weight to prosecutors -- more than they would be willing to admit publicly. Even if they make determinations on each case based on the facts of that individual case, I doubt they would have appealed a judge's decisions in an "Average Joe" prescription drug case.

But for those who end up in the media spotlight, the situation changes. There are countless cases that roll through Los Angeles County Superior Court, but those who find their way before the eyes of an influential journalist can face an even more challenging situation.

A trusted Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer must have experience dealing with the media, who can be used to the defendant's advantage in the right situation. Determining whether to provide quotes and interviews to get the defendant's side out or, if seeking a gag order to shut down all comments from getting out, are both tactics to consider.

These are matters that should be discussed between the defendant and attorney, as a defendant shouldn't comment to the media, jail inmates, or even friends and family without talking with an attorney first.

Continue reading "Anna Nicole Smith Appeal Shows Aggressive Nature of Prosecutors in Los Angeles Drug Cases" »

A large-scale prescription drug ring running from the United States into Mexico and back resulted in 15 arrests, including an Inglewood doctor, the Associated Press reports.

Prescription drug crimes in Los Angeles and nationwide have spiked lately as the high cost of medical care coupled with the tendency of people to abuse these drugs has resulted in more and more legal issues. But not everyone charged in these cases is guilty and therefore an experienced Los Angeles Drug Defense Attorney must be consulted in order to defend against these allegations.

In this case, U.S. border inspectors made arrests of the doctor and 14 others who now face charges of conspiracy to smuggle prescription drugs from California to Mexico, the wire service is reporting.

The operation allegedly sent opiates to Tijuana pharmacies in exchange for bundles of cash that were brought back into the country. American addicts then bought the over-the-counter pills in Mexico and took them home.

Law enforcement speculates that it was easier for the pill smugglers to deal large batches of pills at Mexican pharmacies -- which typically have loose regulations -- than to deal them on the streets in America. Officials believe smugglers would buy pills for $2 each in the United States, sell them in Mexico for $3.50 and the same pill would then be sold to an American addict for $6.

The 71-year-old doctor who has been arrested allegedly wrote prescriptions for 920,000 hydrocodone pills. Other than writing prescriptions, the article doesn't specify how the doctor was connected to the alleged smuggling operation.

Smugglers would allegedly strap pills to engine compartments and to their bodies while crossing into Mexico, usually at the Tijuana-San Diego San Ysidro crossing. Some Americans were arrested when they were caught with tens of thousands of dollars coming back into the country.

In California, drug crimes can vary by the amount, where the drugs are being sold and whether or not a person is manufacturing the drugs, among other factors. The penalties can range from a misdemeanor, which can only lead to a few months in jail all the way to major felony charges, which are punishable by years in prison.

With marijuana legal for medical use in California, authorities have spent a lot of time focusing on the enforcement of those who grow and distribute that drug without a prescription. But law enforcement has also attempted to crack down on harder drugs, such as cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and hardcore prescription drugs, such as the ones that were allegedly a part of this operation.

In any drug case, possession is a key element the state must prove. And if drugs are found in a common area, such as a house or apartment or vehicle, everyone starts pointing fingers. This leads to reasonable doubt, which can lead to a not guilty verdict.

I defendant facing certain drug charges may be eligible to enroll in the Los Angeles Deferred Entry of Judgement program. This drug diversion program allows for people to avoid jail or prison time and as an alternative get drug treatment, counseling, drug testing and other measures to help them improve their lives. An experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney can lobby on behalf of the defendant to get this option rather than incarceration and a mark on your criminal record.

Continue reading "Prescription Drug Sting Nets 15 Arrests, Including L.A. Doctor" »

A 23-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested in Tehama, in Northern California, the Daily News reports.

Drug crimes in Los Angeles can range from minor possession cases to major trafficking and selling cases. And the severity of the charges increases with the weight or amount of drug that a person is caught possessing.

Drug cases may seem minor to some people, but they can lead to serious prison terms if not handled correctly. Consulting with an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney is key to ensuring a defendant's rights are protected and all aspects of their case are challenged.

In this case, the 23-year-old man was driving in a blue 2004 Toyota Camry when he was pulled over by sheriff's deputies. They allegedly pulled him over because he didn't have a front license plate. After running his name through state databases, he was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended license.

Before having the vehicle towed, deputies did a search of the vehicle and came upon four duffel bags. Three contained 58 one-pound bags of marijuana, the law enforcement officials told the newspaper. The other bag had two vacuum seal machines and baggies.

The man allegedly told deputies that he had used his life savings to buy the illegal drug and that he planned to use it for himself and not to sell. Regardless, he was booked on charges of transportation of marijuana for sale, possession of marijuana for sale and driving on a suspended license, the newspaper reports.

Possession of marijuana in some cases has been reduced to an infraction. But possession for sale remains a very serious criminal offense.

But if the amount is more than 28.5 grams, it is considered a felony punishable by 2 to 4 years in a state prison. The tricky thing in these types of situations is that police may make a determination that a person is trying to sell the marijuana without any proof except for the amount they have seized. In this case, the suspect allegedly told police he had no intention to sell it. Investigators may have determined he was attempting to sell it based on the equipment and quantity alone.

But it's also possible that police could seek a forfeiture of a vehicle, house or anything they can convince a judge was used in connection with the drug operation they are alleging against the defendant. That means a person can lose their property.

Defending the distinction between personal use and intention to sell is an important one under California law and must be attacked by an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Man Charged With Having 60 Pounds of Marijuana" »

A 31-year-old mother is facing drug charges and charges of child endangerment in Los Angeles after authorities say they found six bags of heroin in her 14-year-old's pants, according to the L.A. Times.

Child abuse defense lawyers in Los Angeles understand the challenges of representing parents facing drug charges, substance abuse allegations or other issues resulting in a child abuse grievance hearing.

The case here is two-fold. Certainly the charge of heroin possession will need to be aggressively defended against. But as problematic are the allegations of child abuse. Once child welfare authorities are involved in your family's affairs, it can be difficult or impossible to rid yourselves of them. And it can take years. The bureaucracy can be a nightmare and your rights are always best protected by consulting an experienced attorney.

In this case, the drugs were found in the boy's pants during a traffic stop. An experienced defense attorney in Los Angeles will certainly challenge the probable cause for conducting a search of the child. Police contend the mother admitted to hiding the drugs in her son's pants. The boy, and his 11-year-old brother, were released into the custody of child protective services.

Police contend she told them she was transporting the drugs "this one time" to help pay the rent. She was charged with possession of heroin for sale, transporting heroin, child endangerment and inducing a child to transport heroin. Authorities allege there is evidence she had been selling the heroin, which will also be challenged by a defense attorney. Allegations of selling heroin are more serious than possession.

In other news, eight suspects have been arrested in San Bernardino County, after a raid turned up $90,000 in cash and two pounds of drugs, including cocaine and heroin. The group is accused of being gang-affiliated drug dealers connected to narcotic sales in Los Angeles, Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Indio, according to a report in the Mercury News.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Child Abuse Charges Stem from Heroin Bust " »

Drug trafficking and Los Angeles drug smuggling is a serious crime that comes with some serious consequences. According to ABC 7, two men are accused of snuggling ropes and cords packed with cocaine through LAX security checkpoints.

Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers urge you to contact a lawyer immediately if you're being accused of any drug offense. Remember not to speak with authorities until you've spoken with a lawyer. Do not try to talk to your way out of the offense. Most importantly, don't listen to official's jargon. If you're involved in an incident with someone else, other than yourself, remember that authorities will use their tactics to form persuasive scenarios for confession, pinning one victim against the other.

The accused smugglers were held by immigration and customs enforcement agents at Los Angeles International Airport after they landed from Panama. One reportedly had seven ropes, and the other reportedly had 40 canvas backpacks. The ropes and the cords of the backpacks were said to have been stiff and were giving off a chemical odor, which triggered inspectors to test them, reports Mercury News.

The two young men, ages 20 and 21, claimed they bought the ropes and backpacks from a swap meet in Panama. The men told immigration and customs enforcement agents that they were intending on using the ropes on an upcoming fishing trip. They two were arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, reports the Los Angeles Times. The ropes ended up containing nearly 21 pounds of cocaine.

Continue reading "Two Men Charged with Alleged Cocaine Soaked Ropes Now Charged With Drug Smuggling in Los Angeles " »

Two Canadians are facing charges of drug smuggling in Los Angeles after being accused of attempting to smuggle more than 100 pounds of cocaine to Canada in boxes of romaine lettuce, according to KTLA News.

Investigators also found more than $2.5 million in cash inside a warehouse safe. The defendants, ages 19 and 32, are from Toronto. They are expected to be arraigned in Los Angeles County District Court on possession of cocaine charges. Given the amount of money, and the weight, more serious charges are likely. A Los Angeles criminal defense attorney experienced in handling large-scale drug smuggling cases will need to review the charges and build a proper defense. Among the issues a defense attorney will consider is whether the search of the warehouse was legitimate or whether law enforcement lacked probable cause and a search warrant.

The two defendants were at the warehouse when officers moved in. A defense attorney will also look at their role in the alleged drug-smuggling operation. They may have been legitimate warehouse employees with no knowledge of drug activity.

Besides the safe, officers found dozens of boxes of romaine lettuce inside the building. Agents contend the cocaine was ultimately destined for Canada by truck. The drugs have a street value of more than $2 million.

Continue reading "Canadians facing drug charges in Los Angeles after authorities seize 100 pounds of cocaine" »

A meth lab in Los Angeles has led to drug charges against a Southern California man after police raided a location in Sylmar, the L.A. Times reported.

SWAT reportedly evacuated part of the property and one suspect is in custody on narcotics and weapons charges, according to the LAPD's gang and narcotics division. A Los Angeles drug crimes defense lawyer will take a careful look at the probable cause for the search warrant in this case and the legality of the search and seizure. When a search is improperly executed, the resulting evidence can be excluded from trial by a judge, which typically leads to a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

The raid on the home in the 13700 block of Polk Street resulted from a tip received by narcotics detectives in the LAPD's Foothill Division. Nine people were found at the house. Any of those who are criminally charged should also speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Wrong place, wrong time is a legitimate defense and failure to protect your rights can result in a conviction on drug or gang charges.

Police report seizing a rifle, a silencer and a stolen car and were continuing the search of the property on Friday morning. Officials believe about 85 percent of meth in the United States comes from large labs operated in California and Mexico.

Continue reading "Meth lab in Sylmar leads to Los Angeles drug charges " »

A 23-year-old man is facing cocaine-trafficking charges in Los Angeles after authorities say he was stopped at LAX with 14 pounds of cocaine disguised as candy, the L.A. Times reported.

Consulting a federal criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles is critical to protecting your rights in the wake of federal drug charges. Earlier this week, The Washington Post reported that an officer in the U.S. Navy jumped to his death at a Manila airport after being accused of cocaine smuggling.

In this case, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports the alleged drugs were hidden in colored eggs, similar to Easter candy. The defendant said the candy was for his two children. More suspected cocaine was found beneath the cardboard bottom of a paper shopping bag. The street valued of the suspected cocaine is more than $100,000.

The defendant was returning to the United States after a week-long trip to Columbia. He faces life in prison if convicted under federal law of importation of a controlled substance.

In the Navy case, the Lt. Commander was being detained when the 35-year-old jumped to his death from a second-floor staircase while being escorted to the restroom. He had been arrested after an airport X-ray machine detected a plastic bag of suspected cocaine in his pocket.

He denied the cocaine was his and claimed he was being set up. Various news outlets have since reported that the unknown substance tested negative for the presence of cocaine.

Continue reading "Los Angeles drug-smuggling charges require experienced, aggressive defense" »