In 2010, over 1.5 million people were arrested for drug related crimes in the United States. Some crimes which are harshly prosecuted include:
All drug related crimes that take place in the State of California are very serious matters, and depending upon the circumstances, carry with them severe legal consequences. If you are convicted of a drug charge, there are many different penalties that you may be confronted with, such as monetary fines, probation, and/or a jail term. A drug related conviction on your criminal record may cause many problems in your personal and professional life, as it may minimize your chance of obtaining a good job or a place to live.
Some defendants in drug related cases may even be able to avoid jail entirely and complete a drug diversion course or drug rehab program. In fact, Proposition 36 was created to give first time, non-violent, drug offenders an alternative to jail by allowing them to undergo probation and a drug rehab program. The rehab lasts for one year, and there is typically a subsequent six month period in which the defendant receives follow up