San Francisco Drug Crime Defense: What You Need to Know
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San Francisco Drug Crime Defense: What You Need to Know
Getting charged with a drug crime in San Francisco can be scary. The penalties can be severe, and a conviction can haunt you for life. But with an experienced defense attorney on your side, you have a fighting chance. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about defending against drug charges in San Francisco.
Common Drug Charges in San Francisco
San Francisco, like everywhere else in California, criminalizes a wide range of drug-related activities. Here are some of the most common drug charges:
- Drug possession: It is illegal to possess controlled substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs without a valid prescription. Possession charges range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the type and amount of drug.
- Drug sales/distribution: Selling or distributing illegal drugs is a felony. Charges become more severe if you sell drugs to a minor or near a school or park.
- Drug manufacturing: Making illegal drugs like meth or concentrated cannabis is a felony. Charges increase if hazardous chemicals and lab equipment are involved.
- Drug transportation: Transporting illegal drugs into or within California – also known as drug trafficking – brings hefty felony charges.
- Drug paraphernalia: It is illegal to possess items used for taking or making drugs like pipes, bongs, scales, syringes, etc. This is a misdemeanor.
The penalties for drug crimes vary but commonly include fines, probation, and incarceration. Felony convictions can also mean losing civil rights like voting, serving on a jury, and owning a gun.
Finding the Right Drug Crime Lawyer
Not all defense attorneys have the skills and experience to win drug cases. When facing drug charges, it’s crucial to have an attorney who specializes in drug crime defense specifically. Here’s how to find the best one:
- Search online for “drug crime defense attorney San Francisco”. Look for lawyers with websites emphasizing drug charge defense.
- Check lawyer directories and ratings sites like Avvo. Focus on criminal defense lawyers with high client ratings and many drug crime case reviews.
- Ask friends and family if they know any standout drug crime lawyers. Personal referrals can help find great attorneys.
- Contact the San Francisco Public Defender’s office. The dedicated public defenders there have deep expertise in defending drug charges.
- Look for former prosecutors. Ex-prosecutors understand how the prosecution builds drug cases and can predict their strategies.
- Find a lawyer experienced with drug diversion programs. Diversion is often the best way to avoid conviction and jail time.
- Consider boutique law firms that concentrate specifically on drug cases and have support teams of investigators, paralegals, and expert witnesses.
- Schedule consultations and gauge which lawyers you feel most confident in. Make sure they have successfully defended cases similar to yours.
The stakes are high, so take time to make the smartest choice possible. Vet each attorney thoroughly.
Common Defense Strategies
Skilled drug crime lawyers use time-tested strategies to get charges reduced or dismissed. Here are some go-to defenses they may deploy:
Christine Twomey
2024-03-21
Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.
Brendan huisman
2024-03-18
Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!
Guerline Menard
2024-03-18
Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️
Keisha Parris
2024-03-15
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
Taïko Beauty
2024-03-15
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.
Thank you team!
Anthony Williams
2024-03-12
Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.
Loveth Okpedo
2024-03-12
Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience
Bee L
2024-02-28
Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.
divesh patel
2024-02-24
I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way.
Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me.
I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence.
Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.
- File motions to suppress evidence from illegal searches, faulty drug tests, improper interrogations, and other constitutional violations.
- Attack sloppy police work like mishandling evidence and making biased assumptions.
- Challenge the chain of custody of drug evidence to raise doubts about tampering and contamination.
- Leverage prosecutorial overcharging to get charges lowered when the DA’s case is weak.
- Argue “mere presence” – just being near drugs doesn’t prove possession or intent to sell.
- Dispute drug weight calculations – tiny margins of error can mean the difference between felonies and misdemeanors.
- Argue sentencing entrapment if undercover cops bought larger quantities to trigger stiffer charges.
- For medical marijuana cases, prove the defendant had a legitimate medical need.
- Negotiate diversion programs requiring rehab and community service instead of jail time.
- Highlight mitigating factors like no prior record, positive work history, and family obligations to sway sentencing.
- Develop evidence of illegal searches, faulty drug tests, and dishonest informants using private investigators.
- Hire expert witnesses to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and testimony.
- Uncover if witnesses who identified the defendant have credibility issues or were improperly influenced.
- Contest the legality of wiretaps, stings, informants, surveillance, and other police tactics.
- Argue “sentencing manipulation” if police elongated an investigation to make the charges more severe.
- File appeals if errors in legal procedure, evidence rules, or constitutional rights occurred during trial.
This is just a sample of the defenses great lawyers employ. Each case has unique weaknesses to leverage.