Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Newport Beach, Orange County - In a move by the federal government that has upset owners of medical marijuana clinics the federal government has now threatened local government officials who implement medical marijuana laws could now face criminal charges.

Some cities, including Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana and Newport Beach, have worked out deals allowing the legal medical marijuana operations in their cities to be taxed, which has been a windfall for local government.

This has also caused confusion and concern among those who can legally use medical marijuana with many patients worried that federal or local authorities will arrest them and they'll be charged with a federal drug crime or California marijuana crime, such as possession, marijuana sales, being under the influence or even use of drug paraphernalia.

It's important to understand and remember, says Santa Ana drug attorney Michael L. Guisti, that however unfair this may be California's medical marijuana law's is in major contrast with the federal government's view of medical marijuana, which still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which means that the federal government views marijuana as highly addictive and has no medical value.

The rule of thumb, says Guisti, federal laws typically trumps local law.

The issue at hand, explains Guisti, is the Obama Administration noted they would take a hand offs approach to medical marijuana, but then beginning in late 2011 that abruptly changed with the raid of several San Diego area medical marijuana clinics and an announcement by the Justice Department saying they're cracking down on medical marijuana operations.

Just how much of a crackdown the Justice Department plans on California's medical marijuana clinics is unclear, but it is beginning to drive some operations "underground," which could be a problem for these places later on, says Guisti.

Just as well, Guisti goes on to say, for some cities that haven't been too welcoming in having medical marijuana operations in their city, like Lake Forest, those city officials are more than willing to work with the feds to close down medical marijuana operations in their city.

It's very important to note, stresses Guisti, unlike being arrested for a California marijuana charge, if arrested by the Justice Department you'll likely face federal criminal charges, and if convicted you could face several years in federal prison and up to a million dollars in fines.

If your medical marijuana clinic has come under investigation, or you fear it may be raided, it's very important to retain our Orange County federal marijuana attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti.

For over a decade we have won very tough cases for our clients accused of federal drug charges in the federal courts of Santa Ana, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego.

We know this seems unfair and the rules keep changing, but if you're in trouble you need to call us right away so we can keep you out of prison.

San Clemente, Orange County - A 50-year old woman in a caravan driving through the border stop at the I-5 checkpoint in San Clemente was signaled over by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Sunday. As the van pulled through the checkpoint, the agents referred the vehicle for inspection.

At that time, according to statements released by the Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered drugs by using a drug sniffing dog. A woman only identified as a U.S. citizen was found to have two bundles of methamphetamine drugs wrapped in cellophane and duct tape in her jacket. The total weight of the drugs were nearly four pounds and believed to have a street value of $70,000.

The 50-year old woman was subsequently taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Santa Ana drug criminal defense lawyer, Michael Guisti, who has experience handling cases in California drug charges in both federal and state court commented on this case.

He explains that drug trafficking or possession of drugs for sale can be defined in the California Health and Safety code sections which states that every person who transports, imports into this state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, or give away, or import into this state or transport any drugs is serious felony drug crime, it can have serious punishment, including state prison time and exhorbitant fines.

The Huntington Beach drug crime attorney and federal criminal defense attorney explained the California drug laws on this case. He explains that drug possession can be charged as a misdemeanor in California, but drugs possession to sell is a felony and it carries jail time or prison time.

If you are being targeted or investigated by the local authorities, you need a vigilant and aggressive drug defense lawyer to advise you of your rights and defend your legal matter appropriately.

If you're criminally charged with a felony, you need to consult with a strong and powerful Orange County Criminal drug defense lawyer or Southern California felony defense lawyer immediately. A highly qualified drug defense attorney who knows the drug laws can help you avoid jail, minimize the penalties and achieve favorable outcome of your case.

How can an experienced Orange County Criminal lawyer help you in a successful Orange County drug crime defense or Los Angeles drug crime defense?

Our Fullerton criminal defense attorney is a renowned Orange County drug crime defense attorney who provides highly skilled defense representation to defendants who have been charged with drugs crime or those who need California professional license defense and/or criminal appeals.

Our Irvine criminal defense attorneys have the knowledge and resources in both state and federal courts. Our Westminster criminal attorney and Anaheim criminal lawyers have solid results in successfully defending defendants who have been arrested under the state or federal laws.

If you or someone you love have been arrested or charged with drugs crimes, fraud, DUI, white collar crime, violent crimes or felony grand theft, contact our strong and powerful Orange County criminal attorney at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti immediately to protect your rights at 714-530-9690 or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com. You'll be glad you did!

Laguna Beach , Orange County - California criminal lawyer and Orange County drug crime defense attorney at Law Offices of Michael Guisti have seen increases in drug trafficking cases as the economy has been slow to recover. Ecstasy possession and trafficking have become more common with the increase in the drugs popularity. The Newport Beach drug crime attorney and Irvine criminal attorney recently commented on a drug cases reported on the news.

Gee Kim, 21, of La Palma and Dennis Oh, 21, of Anaheim were arrested late last month in a drug bust for possession and intent to sell 5,000 Ecstasy pills to undercover investigators in a Cal State Fullerton parking lot. The estimated street value for the pills are $50,000.

According to the Orange County drug crime attorney and Santa Ana drug crime attorney that in California, Drug crimes are very serious crimes. It involves narcotics offenses such as drug possession, drug distribution, drug sales, drug manufacture, and controlled substances, such as MDMA, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, meth, and marijuana.

Also the names of controlled substances including cocaine, heroin, meth, LSD, and MDMA or "ecstasy", and other prescription drugs.

The Huntington Beach drug crime attorney and Orange County drug defense attorney explains that if one is convicted of drug crimes in California, he could have very severe penalties. It can carry jail time or long term in state prison from 15 years to life, depending on the amount and the type of drug used and prior criminal records.

California drug crime are usually charged as California felony charges. For example, under California Health & Safety Code 11550: if a person is convicted of being under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, the punishment is at least 90 days of jail, it is also applied to someone who is intoxicated on narcotic, or if he doesn't have a lawfully issued prescription.

The Westminster criminal attorney further states that whatever the type of the drug crimes, whether it is a felony drug poccession or drug sales, it is all serious charges. If you or someone you know has been charged or arrested for drug related crimes, it is critical to seek the legal help from an experienced Orange County drug crime defense attorney.

Our Laguna Beach drug defense attorney and Santa Ana drug crime attorney will use their experience and knowledge to fight for your California drug crime charges. We will take every step the possible way to help you to minimize your charges or dismiss all your charges.

The Fullerton drug crime attorney also explains that under California law, possession of narcotics, recreational drugs or unauthorized prescription drugs is a serious crime in California. At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Newport Beach Drug Crime Defense attorneys have the experience, the skills and the knowledge in drug crime defense and have successfully represented hundreds of clients who have been charged with drug crimes in Orange County, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Westminster, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, and other cities in Southern California.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug crime in Southern California, you need to contact an experienced Orange County drug crime defense attorney or Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at Law Offices of Michael Guisti immediately for a free consultation at 714-530-9690 or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com. You'll be glad you did.