While Proposition 64 made it legal to possess and use marijuana on a personal level, it is still a crime in California to possess or use many illegal drugs or controlled substances. These substances include using prescription drugs that are not prescribed to you.
Various types of drug crimes include:
HS 1135 Possession of a Controlled Substance
A misdemeanor crime, Possession of a Controlled Substance is possessing a controlled substance such as cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, crack, GHB, or prescription drugs that are not lawfully prescribed to you.
HS 11352 Possession for Sale of Narcotics
It is a felony to possess drugs for the purpose of selling them. If you are found with drugs in an amount, or packaging, which leads the arresting authority to think that you intended to sell the drugs, you could be arrested for possession with the intent to sell. Several factors go into deciding whether to charge someone with “intent to sell” rather than the less serious crime of simply “possession.” The cops will consider:
- The amount of drugs found
- The packaging of the drugs
- Other items, such as scales, used for packaging drugs for sale
- Weapons found on the person, or near the person, with the drugs
- Large sums of cash
In other words, the police will look at more than just the amount of drugs you are carrying, when you are arrested, in determining whether to charge with possession versus possession with intent to sell. If you are carrying a relatively small amount of drugs, but you are also found with a weapon and large amounts of cash, it may be enough for police to charge you with possession with intent to sell. Then, you are left to sort out a defense, later.
HS 11352 Sale or Transportation of a Controlled Substance
Is is a felony to sell, furnish, administer, give away, transport, or import into California any illegal narcotic. You could be charged with a violation of HS 11352 if you are stopped for a traffic violation and drugs are found in your car.
HS 11363 Cultivation of Peyote
While the cultivation and personal use of marijuana may have been made legal under Proposition 64, it is still illegal to cultivate, harvest, or use the plant known as peyote. Peyote is a hallucinogenic drug that is often used in Native American religious ceremonies. Cultivation of Peyote could be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
HS 11364 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
It is a misdemeanor to possess “paraphernalia” pertaining to the use or production of drugs. Items that might be considered “paraphernalia” include, but are not limited to:
- Hypodermic Needles
- Pipes
- Bongs
- Cocaine Spoons
A conviction for this charge can result in time in jail. A conviction may also qualify someone for a diversion program under Proposition 35.
HS 11377 Possession of Methamphetamine
It is a crime to possess methamphetamine, which is also called “meth” or “speed.” The possession of methamphetamine can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. However, charges of manufacturing, possession for sale, sale of methamphetamine, or transportation of methamphetamine are all felonies and can result in prison time.
HS 11379.6 Manufacturing Drugs and Narcotics
It is a felony to produce drugs in California. This includes compressing marijuana resin into hashish. This is one of the most serious drug offenses in California and carries the harshest sentencing available. The charges are even more serious if large volumes of drugs are being manufactured, children are found near the manufacturing process, or someone has been hurt or killed during the manufacturing.
What Happens if I am Arrested for Drug Crimes in California?
If you are arrested for drug crimes in California, remember to stay calm. Arguing with, or yelling at, the police can only make the situation worse. The penalties for non-violent drug crimes is much less than those of violent drug crimes, and arguing with the police or fighting with them can lead to more serious, violence charges.
If you come into contact with the police:
- Stay Calm
- Keep Your Voice Level
- Don't Yell or Use Profanity
- Don't Struggle With Officers (even if they feel the need to restrain you)
If you are arrested and charged with drug crimes, the officer should inform you of your Miranda Rights:
- You have the right to remain silent – They can't make you talk, other than to provide your name, address, and show some type of identification, upon request.
- Anything you say can be used against you – If you choose to talk to the authorities, the statements you make can be used against you in court.
- You have the right to an attorney – You can ask to have an attorney present while they question you. If you ask for an attorney but continue to talk to the officers, while you wait for your attorney, the answers you give can still be used against you.
- If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you – If you cannot afford an attorney, but would like to have one, the court will appoint an attorney for you, free of charge.
How do I Get Out of Jail if I'm Charged With Drug Crimes?
Once you've been arrested and taken to jail, you'll be charged with a specific crime and booked into jail. This process can take several hours and includes taking your picture and finger prints. Once your charges have been determined, you should be informed of the bail amount that will be required so that you can be released. You will be allowed to make several phone calls, either during booking or after you are booked. Use these phone calls to notify a friend or family member of your location and the charges you are facing. You should also use this opportunity to call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, so they can start working to get you out of jail fast. Call Mr. Nice Guy at (844)400-BAIL (2245). Have your full name, birth date, and booking number available when you call.
What is Drug Crimes Bail?
Bail is an amount of money, or other security, deposited with the court to make sure you will appear. If you fail to appear in court, to follow up on your charges, including appearing for trial, you will forfeit (this means lose) the amount of money that you gave the court for bail. By showing up for all of your court appearances, even if you are convicted, the amount of money you posted for bail will be refunded to you. If someone else posts the bond for you, the money will be returned to them.
How Much is Drug Crimes Bail?
The amount of bail is set by a schedule in each county and is based on the charges for which you've been arrested. It is common for authorities to charge you with the most serious versions of the crimes, even if it is likely that the charges will be reduced at a later time. This can make your bail much higher. Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds to get out of jail at a fraction of the cost of posting your full bail. (844)400-2245
How do You Post Drug Crime Bail?
Once you know how much your bail will be for the charges you've been arrested for, you can either pay the bail amount in cash or use a property to secure your bail. If you use a property for your bail, however, the amount of equity available in the property must be double the amount of the bail being required.
What are Drug Crime Bail Bonds?
If you can not come up with the cash to pay for bail, you can contact a bail bondsman like Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds. Mr. Nice Guy and his team of licensed bail bondsmen, will work fast to get you out of jail as quickly as possible. A drug crime bail bond is a little like insurance. You pay the bail bondsman a portion of your bail, usually 10%, and they pay your bail to the court for you. You then have a contract with the bail bond company that you will continue to appear for your court hearings and trial, and see your charges through to the end so that the bail bond company can get their money back from the court. Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at (844)400-2245 or start the process online, to get out of jail fast.
What Does A Bail Bondsman Do?
A bail bondsman works with a bail bond agency to get you out of jail, fast, and at a fraction of the cost of posting bail. By accepting the bail bond, you agree to appear in court and do all of the things required to see your charges through to the end, so that the bail bond company can get their money back from the court. The fee charged by the bail bondsman is generally 10% of the total cost of bail for the charges you're facing.
Who is the Cheapest Bail Bondsman in California?
Mr. Nice Guy's licensed bail agents can process bail bonds for arrests throughout Southern California. Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds Inc. offers bail premiums as low as 7%* (the lowest bail bond rate allowed in California). No other bail bondsman can offer lower rates. Call now, or start the bail bonds process online.
Some bail bond companies require an annual premium on the anniversary of charges, but Mr. Nice Guy never does that. Once you've secured a bond through Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, there are no additional fees or recurring charges. Mr. Nice Guy will even work with you on establishing a payment plan for a bail bond, to help get yourself or a loved one out of jail when you're on a budget. It just doesn't get much nicer than that!
Other online services include free warrant checks and a direct link to the most Sheriff's Department databases.
If you need a bail bond in Southern California: if you want fast, private service at the best rates available; if you are looking for professional service, call Mr. Nice Guy toll free at (844)400-2245.
