Drug Charges Lawyer in Chatsworth, CA. There are a wide variety of drug laws you can be charged with breaking in Chatsworth, CA. It's possible for what could be a simple possession charge to be elevated into possession for sale or even trafficking. These statutes regulate substances from prescription medications to fentanyl. If found guilty, you can face life-altering consequences.
You need someone who can guide you to a positive outcome. You need Chatsworth, CA's leading criminal defense law firm on your case. You need the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Our local Chatsworth drug charges lawyers know the ins and outs of California drug laws. We will give you honest advice, explain your best options, and fight for the best deal or other outcome in your case. To start fighting the charges, reach out to our representatives at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online right away.
Chatsworth, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer: Page Summary
On this page, you can read about the importance of having a drug defense lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, the types of substances considered illegal in Chatsworth, the key factors you want your defense team to have, strategies we may use in your case, and the intersection between drug charges and DUIs in Chatsworth.
If you want to read about a particular topic, you can use the links in the following menu to jump ahead and learn more:
- What Your Chatsworth, CA, Drug Crimes Lawyer Will Do For You
- Chatsworth, CA, Drug Types and Their Penalties
- Different Types of Drug Charges in Chatsworth, CA
- How Drugs Can Affect DUI Charges in Chatsworth
- What to Look For in a Drug Charges Lawyer
- Possible Defenses That We Use in Drug Cases
- Chatsworth, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options
- Immigration Consequences of a Drug Conviction
- Drug Charge FAQs
- Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Chatsworth, CA? Call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Today
- Every Drug Charge Our Team Will Defend Against
Why You Need a Drug Charges Lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, NOW
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Chatsworth, CA, it's a big deal, no matter what. Two people who committed similar acts can face very different charges, meaning you can always face years in prison.
The first reason you need a drug charges lawyer immediately is to help you understand the charges. A simple possession case looks very different from a possession-for-sale case, and your defense attorney should have strategies to defend against whatever you've been accused of.
The second reason to call a local Chatsworth, CA, drug charges lawyer first thing in your case is to protect yourself from mistakes. When you say the wrong thing to a state representative, you could see simple possession allegations elevated to possession-for-sale accusations. Your attorney can stop you from experiencing self-incrimination.
Finally, your drug charges lawyer will give you access to expertise and relationships you wouldn't otherwise have. Early intervention prevents the state from getting a lead on you, and we can even move to dismiss charges if the evidence is in your favor.
Drug Types and Legal Context in Chatsworth, CA:
When you work with a Chatsworth, CA, drug charges lawyer, you should pick somone who has experience with the type of drug you're facing allegation for. Below, you can read about some of the most common substances that are the center of illegal drug cases in the state.
| Drug Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Prescription Drugs | Charges often revolve around having a technically legal drug without permission, or selling it to someone you aren't supposed to. |
| Ecstacy | Also known as MDMA, Molly, and E. This affects the brain's ability to process serotonin. |
| Cocaine | A highly addictive drug which can cause intense effects Long term use can dampen the brain's reward pathway. |
| Methamphetamine | Synthetic stimulant originally used to improve focus, but with serious side effects. |
| Opioids | A category of addictive painkillers. These include morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. |
| Heroin | A highly refined type of opioid. Courts and prosecutors often treat heroin charges harshly. |
| Fentanyl | An extremely dangerous type of opioid — roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the DEA. |
Sentences vary significantly based on substance, how much there was, any prior convictions, and the accusation you're facing. As a general framework:
- Simple possession of most controlled substances is typically charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail, though certain substances and circumstances can elevate this.
- Possession for sale, sale, transport, or manufacturing are are more serious charges. Most accusations are felonies, with sentencing ranges that depend heavily on the specific drug and quantity involved.
- Fentanyl carries additional exposure: Proposition 36 (2024) added fentanyl alongside cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine to a list of drugs that trigger felony enhancement when possessed together with a loaded firearm, and it increased sentencing exposure tied to quantity for several substances.
- Federal charges carry their own, generally harsher, sentencing structure.
Because the numbers shift based on the specific facts of a case, the exact exposure you're facing should be evaluated by an attorney who can review your charge sheet and criminal history — call our office for a free case evaluation and we'll help you get an idea of what you're up against.
Marijuana in Chatsworth, CA
Marijuana Description: Marijuana is a plant which contains THC, a chemical compound with psychoactive properties. California used to outlaw the use of marijuana, however, in 2016 the state passed Proposition 64, legalizing its recreational use.
Because California no longer criminalizes using it, marijuana (AKA cannabis) accusations in Chatsworth, CA, most often center around when and where it is used. For example, it's legal to grow up to six marijuana plants for recreational use, but growing a seventh is a crime.
Marijuana Legal Overview:
- Adults over the age of 21 can carry 28.5 grams of marijuana on their person
- Generally, adults over 21 can grow up to six marijuana plants
- Still illegal to use or possess under federal law.
How Your Chatsworth, CA, Drug Charges Lawyer Can Help: If you're up against marijuana-related charges, our attorneys will fight to defend you. For example, we can argue that you were permitted to have cannabis, demonstrate that you did not exceed state limits, and/or show off the proper regulatory procedures which you adhered to.
Charges a Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer Will Fight in Chatsworth, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley defends a wide variety of drug charges in Chatsworth, CA. We are prepared to fight against accusations including possession, sale, and special enhancements. Read the sections below to learn more about the different categories of charges and how our criminal defense attorneys can help.
Drug Possession/Use Charges
The most common drug charges in Chatsworth, CA, are often those related to possession. These can be charged for any illegal substance and these charges can apply if the drugs are on your person, in your vehicle, or anywhere you would control access to them.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
- Hard Drug Possession
Your Chatsworth, CA, drug charges lawyer can build defenses that cast doubt on whether or not the drugs were in your possession, and can protect your freedom through diversionary programs, if applicable.
Relevant statutes: If you're accused of simple possession of a hard drug, you're liking facing charges for allegedly violating Health and Safety Code 11350, while possession of methamphetamine has its own specific statute in HS 11377. Both are typically charged as misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in county jail, for defendants without disqualifying prior convictions.
Drug Production/Transport/Distribution Charges
Accusations of drug production, transportation, and distribution take on the other side of a drug deal: The alleged seller.
- Manufacturing or Producing Controlled Substances
- Cultivation of Marijuana
- Maintaining a Place for Drug Sales/Use
- Drug Trafficking
- Transportation of a Controlled Substance
- Sale of Controlled Substance
- Drug Possession for Sale
These allegations are almost always considered more serious than possession. A drug crimes defense lawyer can help you negotiate a plea to a less serious offense.
Relevant statutes: The two main possession for sale charges you will see in Chatsworth, CA, are HS 11351 (for most substances) and HS 11378 (specifically for methamphetamine). When charged as a felony, each is punishable by two, three, or four years in state prison and fines up to $20,000. Sale and transportation for sale charges are divided in a similar way: HS 11352 (most substances) vs. HS 11379 (methamphetamine). If convicted, you are looking at an even harsher sentence — up to nine years if the transportation crosses non-contiguous counties. A drug charges laywer who can negotiate your charges down is essential, if you want to become eligible for common diversion programs like PC 1000 or Proposition 36.
Drug Charge Enhancements
California's drug charge enhancement laws may seem very different, but they share one common attribute: They don't stand on their own. Before you can be charged with an enhancement, you first need to face a different criminal charge.
It's even more important to hire an experienced Chatsworth, CA, drug crimes lawyer to defend you in these cases, so that they can fight both the base charge and the enhancement.
Federal Drug Charges
A federal drug charge can come from any category of alleged drug offense. The distinction is that the federal government is prosecuting you instead of the state government.
These can include anything from trafficking to taking part in a drug conspiracy, but to get the attention of the federal government, it typically will involve large quantities and/or crossing state lines. The penalties are often much harsher, such as a life sentence and substantial fines.
These are some of the most serious charges you can possibly face. And you need a a leading criminal defense lawyer with the resources to match the federal prosecutor. Our firm will learn your side of the story, look for legal loopholes, review evidence, and do whatever we can to secure a favorable result for you.
The Intersection Between Drug Charges and DUIs in Chatsworth, CA
DUIs and drug charges don't always go together in Chatsworth, CA, but when they do, these cases can be particularly tricky to fight. Drug DUI defense cases can include a several situations, including everything from driving while high on marijuana to prescription drug usage. What's worse, you can be arrested if there is any amount of THC in your system while driving (as opposed to alcoholwhich only has a "zero tolerance" law people who are underage).
When facing drug DUI charges, you need more than a drug charges lawyer. You also need a skillful Chatsworth, CA, DUI defense lawyer who will fight your case both in criminal court and at the DMV hearing. But you need to act fast — for most DUI cases, if you wait longer than ten days to request a hearing, you lose your chance.
How to Find the Right Drug Crimes Defense Attorney
When you are considering your options for a drug charges lawyer in Chatsworth, CA, it can be a challenge trying to decide the right person to represent you. With so much at stake, you don't want to make the wrong choice.
These are the main qualities you want to find in your drug defense attorney:
- Vast Experience fighting against these charges
- Intimate Knowledge of how the state builds its case against you
- Relationships at the courts in your jurisdiction
- A History of Positive Outcomes versus the prosecution in drug cases
- Availability Anytime so that you can get help when you need it most
You can trust us to always be upfront with your case, and you can talk to us 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.
Ways Our Lawyers Defend Against Drug Charges
The statute you violated may not be unique, but your case is. Everyone in the Chatsworth, CA, criminal courts is there under different circumstances, and you should have a customized defense strategy to protect you.
Our attorneys treat every client as an individual. Here are some staunch strategies your drug charges lawyer will consider:
- Illegal Search and Seizure: By getting evidence thrown out, the case against you can be weakened.
- Lack of Intent: Most laws surrounding drugs only make it a crime if you intend to break them.
- Not Your Drugs: You can argue this if you were present in an area while drugs were there, but they were not yours and you weren't using them.
- Entrapment: In rare cases, if an undercover police officer coerced you into violating the law, you may be exempt from a conviction.
- Prescription: Some substances are illegal to possess without a valid prescription, but if you have one, that can excuse you from these charges.
- Plea Negotiations: Not every case can result in a "not guilty" verdict, but there are occasions where a plea deal can lessen the impact of a conviction.
If you've been accused of a drug crime in Chatsworth, CA, get in touch with an attorney at our offices for immediate help.
Chatsworth, CA, Drug Charge Diversion Options:
Chatsworth has diversion and treatment options available, which your Chatsworth, CA, drug charges lawyer can try to utilize in your case. To qualify, defendants must meet legal guidelines. Below are two of the most relevant programs:
PC 1000 Drug Diversion
California PC 1000 pretrial diversion is a pretrial diversion path for specified eligible charges and people under Penal Code §§ 1000–1000.1. The present process begins with a not-guilty plea and court-approved education or treatment conditions, rather than the former guilty-plea Deferred Entry of Judgment procedure. After satisfactory completion, a positive program recommendation and the required motion, the court dismisses the eligible charge within the statutory period. The actual order and Penal Code § 1000.4 control arrest-record effects and exceptions; enrollment alone does not promise dismissal or erase every consequence. For related context, see collateral consequences.
Proposition 36 (2024)
The 2024 Proposition 36 treatment laws created a treatment-mandated felony process in Health and Safety Code § 11395 for specified repeat possession cases. It is different from the 2000 Proposition 36 treatment law and from current PC 1000 pretrial diversion. Counsel should compare the filed offense, substance and criminal-history allegation with the specific statute before describing an available treatment path.
A 2024 Health and Safety Code § 11395 treatment background-mandated felony allegation requires a qualifying current possession offense involving a listed drug and at least two prior convictions for the statutes enumerated in § 11395(c). Those priors must be alleged in the accusatory pleading and admitted in open court or found true. Two unspecified “drug convictions” do not establish eligibility or felony exposure. A person electing the treatment path pleads guilty or no contest, admits qualifying priors and has judgment deferred during an individualized court-approved program.
Your Chatsworth, CA, drug charges lawyer will help you navigate treatment-mandated felony charges, help you decide what route to take, and stand by your side no matter which route you take.
Immigration Consequences of a Drug Conviction
For immigrants in Chatsworth, CA, a drug conviction can be far more damaging than the criminal penalty alone — fortunately, the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is experienced in both criminal defense and immigration law.
The federal government can initiate removal proceedings for most drug convictions, with one narrow exception: a single offense involving possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use. This can affect lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) as well as visa holders, and it applies even if you weren't given jail time on your conviction.
Some important things to keep in mind:
- Simple possession for personal use (for most substances) is generally grounds for deportation, but is not automatically classified as an "aggravated felony" — a distinction that can preserve certain forms of immigration relief.
- Possession for sale, sale, or trafficking convictions are significantly more serious. They are often considered aggravated felonies, which can trigger mandatory deportation and create barriers to appeals efforts.
- How a charge is pleaded matters enormously. Under Padilla v. Kentucky, defense counsel has a constitutional duty to inform you about these immigration implications prior to entering your plea. An attorney who understands both sides can negotiate a resolution — such as a plea to a non-drug offense, or a disposition that avoids specific "aggravated felony" language — which minimizes your chances of being deported.
Because a criminal record can bring immigration consequences regardless of the sentence, you need to get expert help as soon as you're aware of an investigation. If you are an immigrant up against a drug crime allegation, tell your attorney immediately — this materially changes how your case should be defended.
Drug Allegation Defense Frequently Asked Questions
If I'm not found guilty, do drug charges appear on a background check?
An arrest or dismissed case can appear in some records. PC 1000 and the 2024 § 11395 treatment path have different entry requirements and defined dismissal effects. Penal Code § 1000.4 deems a qualifying arrest not to have occurred after successful diversion for specified purposes but contains law-enforcement and licensing exceptions; a sealing order may be issued. Ask counsel what the actual disposition and order mean for a particular background check, license or immigration question rather than assuming every record vanishes.
Reading the charge and the two drug-treatment laws
The complaint and citation matter more than a broad label such as “drug crime.” Simple possession under Health and Safety Code § 11350 or § 11377, being under the influence under § 11550, possession for sale under § 11351 or § 11378, and transportation for sale under § 11352 or § 11379 require different proof. If police found an item in a shared car or room, the government still has to prove knowing control of the charged substance; shared access alone neither proves nor defeats possession. If a sale allegation appears, ask what evidence supports intent to sell beyond the amount. If a transportation allegation appears, the current statutes require transportation for sale. Keep the complaint, release conditions, any search inventory and later lab result together so counsel can compare what was first alleged with what was actually filed.
PC 1000 today is pretrial diversion, not a present-day guilty-plea “Deferred Entry of Judgment” procedure. Penal Code § 1000 lists eligible offenses and history/charge conditions. Section 1000.1 says the defendant pleads not guilty, waives specified speedy-hearing and trial rights, and may enter a court-approved education or treatment program. The court dismisses an eligible charge after successful completion, a positive recommendation and the required motion within the statutory timing. Enrollment alone does not dismiss the case. Some court pages still use the older DEJ shorthand; the actual statutory procedure and signed order control. Section 1000.4 defines the qualified arrest-record effect and exceptions, including licensing and law-enforcement contexts. It permits, rather than automatically issues, a sealing order.
The 2024 Proposition 36 is different from the 2000 Proposition 36 treatment measure. The newer measure added Health and Safety Code § 11395, a treatment-mandated felony process for specified possession offenses and substances. Two prior convictions are relevant only if they are among the statutes listed in § 11395(c), are alleged in the charging paper, and are admitted or found true. A person who elects the statutory treatment path pleads guilty or no contest and admits qualifying priors, with judgment deferred while treatment proceeds. After successful completion, a positive recommendation and the specified motion, the court dismisses the charge and applies the arrest protections the law identifies. This is not automatic eligibility for anyone with “two drug priors,” and it should not be confused with current PC 1000. The old and new Proposition 36 paths have different plea and record consequences.
The defense review should match the charge to evidence: source and custody of any substance, laboratory identification, who controlled the location, statements and recordings, alleged sale indicators, search authority, and prior-conviction documents. A person considering treatment should ask about program length, cost, attendance, testing, consequences of noncompletion and whether the actual case qualifies. A noncitizen should obtain criminal and immigration advice before any admission or plea; a California dismissal does not answer every federal question. If professional licensing, employment, or a driving allegation also matters, raise it at the start rather than relying on a generic promise that a drug case will leave “no record.”
Evidence questions to bring to the first case review
Write a private timeline of the stop, search and arrest while details are fresh. Note who could access the vehicle, room, bag or device; where each item was located; what the officer said was observed; and whether a search warrant, claimed consent or other asserted authority appears in the report. Keep a copy of lawful prescription records, relevant messages, treatment documentation and any witness names for counsel. Do not ask others to coordinate stories or delete material. The defense may need to compare body-camera footage, dispatch records, laboratory notes and chain-of-custody records with the filed charge rather than relying on the arrest summary alone.
If the accusation is possession for sale, ask which facts are alleged to show intent to sell and whether the prosecution can actually link those facts to the accused person. Packaging, cash or phone messages can have more than one explanation; they do not replace proof of the statutory elements. If the accusation is transportation for sale, ask what supports the for-sale purpose rather than assuming any travel with a substance meets the charge. A manufacturing or cultivation count needs its own process, equipment, plant-count and control analysis. A firearm, school-zone, jail-entry or fentanyl enhancement must be identified separately in the papers and supported by the additional facts its statute requires. That distinction keeps a serious enhancement from being treated as an automatic consequence of the base drug count.
Finally, keep court and administrative papers separate. A possession citation is not itself a drug-impaired-driving charge. If officers also allege driving under the influence, review the vehicle-law count, test timeline and any DMV notice with counsel as distinct deadlines. If a case is dismissed or completed through diversion, request the final minute order and ask what record relief actually follows. The court’s order, not a generic online success story, determines the next administrative step.
More questions about drug charges
If the police catch me with drugs in my possession, do I have to answer their questions?
Comply with lawful instructions and give identifying information when required, but do not assume you must discuss the alleged substance or sign a narrative statement without counsel. Ask to speak with a lawyer. Preserve any citation, search inventory and release paper so counsel can review the actual charge and how the evidence was obtained.
Can I get my record sealed after a drug conviction in Chatsworth, CA?
California offers different dismissal and record-relief paths; “expunged” and “sealed” are not the same. Penal Code § 1203.4 is a qualified dismissal, not deletion for every purpose. A successful PC 1000 case has the specific arrest-record rules in § 1000.4, including exceptions. An attorney should review the actual disposition, program completion and application before predicting what a background check or licensing agency will see.
What's the difference between PC 1000 and Proposition 36 diversion?
Current PC 1000 under Penal Code §§ 1000–1000.1 is pretrial diversion for eligible charges and people, with a not-guilty plea and specified program conditions. The 2024 Proposition 36 added HSC § 11395 for certain repeat possession allegations with enumerated priors; a treatment election involves a guilty or no-contest plea with judgment deferred. The 2000 Proposition 36 treatment law is different again. Eligibility and record effects depend on the actual statute and court order.
Does Chatsworth, CA, prosecute drug possession charges as felonies?
A first arrest does not determine the charge by itself. Many simple-possession allegations are misdemeanors, but the substance, alleged conduct, a sale or manufacturing count, an enhancement, or a qualifying history can change the analysis. The 2024 HSC § 11395 treatment-mandated felony requires specified current possession conduct and enumerated priors alleged and established. Have counsel read the complaint and history before drawing a sentencing conclusion.
