Santa Ana Drug Crime Attorney

Drug Cultivation Charges

According to the California Penal Code, "Every person who plants, cultivates, harvests, dries, or processes any marijuana or any part thereof, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison." Authorities consider cultivation to be a serious drug crime as it is frequently done to produce mass quantities of marijuana to be sold on the streets for profit. Law enforcement feels that if they can come down hard on cultivation, it can help to stop the flow of drugs to the public. Those who grow marijuana in garages or basements, even in limited amounts, are therefore going to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Mr. Schaffer served as an Orange County Deputy District Attorney for 18 years and trained deputy DA's in all aspects of how to conduct a trial. With our firm's knowledge of the criminal justice system, we not only understand the laws pertaining to your case but also know how your case will be prosecuted. This gives a distinct advantage to a committed Santa Ana criminal defense lawyer from our firm in formulating and executing an effective defense against your drug cultivation charges.

Penalties for Drug Cultivation

In a cultivation case, the prosecution must prove that you unlawfully planted, cultivated, harvested, dried or processed at least one marijuana plant and that you knew what the plant was. Our job is to attack your case head on, seeking to get the charges against you dismissed or reduced whenever possible. Violations of your constitutional rights to legal search and seizure may make the evidence gathered by law enforcement against you inadmissible at trial. Improper police procedures involving your arrest may also provide us with the tools needed to prevail on your behalf.

These offenses are frequently charged as a felony with subsequent harsh penalties. If convicted for a felony, you face a minimum of one year in state prison but your sentencing will be influenced by any prior convictions plus the amount of plants or seeds that you possessed. In addition to incarceration, penalties include community service, rehabilitation, steep fines and probation.

It is vital, therefore, that you rely on an attorney who has the experience that matters when defending drug cultivation charges.

If you have been arrested for drug cultivation, quickly contact a Santa Ana drug crime attorney from our firm for help.