San Diego’s marijuana laws can be confusing. Even though recreational marijuana was legalized in the area it doesn’t mean that there aren’t rules and regulations. There are still many crimes involving the drug.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer in San Diego, CA, can represent your interests and fight back against the prosecution. If you are charged with a marijuana crime, Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers will vigorously defend you from start to finish. We have over 10 years of experience handling drug crimes, including marijuana cases.
You shouldn’t take marijuana crimes lightly. Call our office at (619) 357-4977 to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego marijuana crimes lawyer today.
How Can Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers Help Me With Marijuana Charges In San Diego?
If you are charged with a marijuana offense in San Diego, California, Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers will stand up for you in court. You won’t need to face the power of the government alone.
Our team has been named Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys, and America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in 2020. We also have a perfect 10.0 Avvo Rating from our satisfied clients.
When you hire us to represent you, we will:
- Explain the charges and penalties
- File relevant motions
- Negotiate with the prosecutor
- Appear at all court hearings
- Keep track of deadlines
- Review discovery and evidence
- Go to trial if that’s in your best interest
Your freedom is of the utmost importance. Our San Diego drug crimes attorneys will fight to keep you out of jail. Call our office to learn how we can start defending you today.
Marijuana Crimes in San Diego, California
Even though possession of marijuana is legal in some circumstances, it is still a federal crime. Just because you are in San Diego doesn’t necessarily mean you are free from the risk of federal criminal charges.
That being said, some of the most common state marijuana crimes in California are:
- Possession of marijuana on school grounds
- Possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana
- Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
- Unregulated sale or delivery of marijuana
- Distribution of marijuana to a minor
- Cultivation of 6 or more marijuana plants
These crimes may be either misdemeanors or felonies, and they can carry jail time. You should take any marijuana charge seriously and never assume that it is not a big deal.
What Are the Penalties for San Diego Marijuana Crimes?
The penalties for San Diego marijuana crimes vary depending on the severity of the charge.
If you are charged with a misdemeanor offense, then you generally may face up to six months or a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. If you are charged with a felony offense, you could face multiple years in prison and significant fines.
You should speak with a lawyer about the penalties in your case. If you are charged with more than one crime or have a prior criminal record, the penalties may become more complicated.
Collateral Consequences
In addition to jail time and fines, you may also face collateral consequences for a marijuana conviction. This is especially true if you are convicted of a felony. For example, it could:
- Have immigration consequences
- Affect your job prospects
- Keep you from getting professional licenses
- Affect your housing
- Disqualify you from certain loans
- Impact your eligibility for public assistance
- Make you ineligible to vote
A San Diego marijuana crimes attorney will explain all of the consequences of a conviction in your case.
What Defenses Can Be Raised Against Marijuana Crimes in San Diego?
There are many defenses to marijuana crimes. Ultimately, the type of defense will depend on the specific charges. Your lawyer will work with you to identify the most viable defense in your case.
Some of the most common defenses to marijuana charges are:
- You possessed the marijuana for legal recreational use
- The substance is not marijuana, or the amount of marijuana is unknown
- You were not selling or distributing marijuana
- You were not aware that the substance was marijuana
Additionally, there may be other technical defenses. This could include constitutional defenses, such as excluding critical evidence that was collected through an illegal search or seizure.
Furthermore, the prosecutor has the burden to prove each element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. As the defendant, you are not required to produce any evidence. Your lawyer can always argue that the prosecutor failed to meet their burden because they didn’t have enough evidence. If they don’t meet their burden, you cannot be convicted.
Contact a San Diego Marijuana Crimes Attorney for a Free Consultation
You shouldn’t waste time if you are charged with any crime, especially a marijuana crime. There is nothing more important than protecting your freedom and clearing your name.
Call Blair Defense Criminal Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our San Diego marijuana crimes attorneys are ready to talk about your case and defend you against the government.
