Orange County Drug Trafficking Lawyer
Successfully Handled Over 5000 Drug Cases in Laguna Beach and Surrounding Areas
Drug trafficking is a term that conjures up the idea of big-business drug cartels exporting massive quantities of narcotics. Although that's one way the crime can be committed, it can also occur with individuals acting alone.
Trafficking in drugs is another term for drug distribution or the unlawful act of selling, transporting, transferring, importing, or exporting controlled substances as defined under both state and federal law. It can also include drug manufacturing and related crimes such as conspiracy and money laundering and can involve both state and federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and DEA.
Drug trafficking is considered the most serious of all drug-related charges and carries severe conviction penalties. To fight back against the allegations made against you, you need competent and committed legal representation from a defense attorney experienced in handling such matters. Retain the services of Attorney Alan Castillo to get a proven trial lawyer on your side. I have more than 25 years of experience investigating, negotiating, and litigating criminal cases of all kinds.
Facing drug trafficking charges in Laguna Beach? Reach out to my firm at (949) 234-6525 for a free consultation to discuss your case and legal options. Available 24/7.
Understanding Drug Trafficking Laws in Orange County
According to California Health and Safety Code 11352, drug trafficking is a felony. In general, this law prohibits the sale or transport of drugs by any means, whether by car, truck, airplane, bicycle, on foot, or in any other way. That means large-scale, small-scale, and personal drug deals can be pursued under this statute.
Under this law, it is a crime to do any of the following:
- Sell a controlled substance;
- Transport a drug with the intent to sell it;
- Furnish or administer to others a controlled substance;
- Give away to others a controlled substance;
- Import into the state any drug; or
- Offer to do any of the above
An arrest can be made if an individual moves or attempts to move a usable amount of the drug.
Controlled Substances Under California Law
- Opiates and their derivatives
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine
- LSD
- Peyote
- OxyContin
- Vicodin
Penalties for Drug Trafficking Charges in Orange County
In California, the basic penalties for drug trafficking can include 3, 4, or 5 years in a county jail. If you were convicted of transporting drugs across two or more counties within the state, you could be imprisoned for 3, 6, or 9 years. Additionally, you may be ordered to pay a fine of up to $20,000.
You may also be granted felony probation in lieu of jail time. Felony probation generally lasts 3 to 5 years and requires reporting to your probation officer regularly and complying with all probationary terms. Should you violate any of the conditions of your probation, it can be revoked, which will lead to serving out the rest of your sentence in jail.
Sentencing in trafficking cases can become even more complex when factors such as the weight of the drugs, prior convictions, alleged gang involvement, or proximity to schools or other protected locations are alleged. I carefully review the prosecution's sentencing arguments, gather mitigation such as treatment efforts, employment history, and family responsibilities, and advocate for the lowest possible sentence permitted by law.
Collateral Consequences
As an Orange County drug trafficking attorney, I warn my clients about the long-term fallout:
- Narcotics Offender Registration: Under HS 11590, some convictions require you to register with local law enforcement as a narcotics offender for five years.
- Asset Forfeiture: The government may seize your car, cash, and even your home if they can show the property was used in or derived from drug trafficking.
- Immigration Status: Drug trafficking is almost always classified as an "aggravated felony" for immigration purposes, leading to mandatory deportation for non-citizens.
The Orange County Criminal Defense Process for Drug Trafficking
Cases in Orange County generally move through the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana or the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
- The Arraignment: Within 48 hours of your arrest, you will be brought before a judge. I fight for your release on bail or your own recognizance so you can prepare your defense outside of a cell.
- The Preliminary Hearing: This is a "mini-trial" where the prosecutor must show there is enough evidence to proceed. This is often where I have the first chance to cross-examine the undercover officers or detectives.
- Discovery and Forensic Analysis: I demand all evidence, including police body-cam footage and lab results. If the lab used faulty equipment to test the drugs, or if the "chain of custody" was broken, the evidence may be invalid.
- Pre-Trial Motions: If your Fourth Amendment rights were violated—for instance, if the police searched your car without a warrant—I file a Motion to Suppress Evidence (PC 1538.5). If successful, the drugs are "thrown out," and the case is typically dismissed.
Defenses Commonly Raised in Drug Trafficking Cases
Every trafficking case is unique, but there are recurring legal and factual issues that can create strong defenses when they are fully investigated. Many cases start with a traffic stop on the 5 or 405 freeways, a search at John Wayne Airport, or an encounter in a parking lot in Laguna Beach or nearby cities, and what officers say happened is not always the full story.
As your drug trafficking lawyer, I look closely at the sequence of events, the reports, and any available video to determine whether the police followed the law from the first contact through the arrest. Potential defenses can include challenging whether you actually knew about the presence of the drugs, whether you intended to sell them, or whether you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, associated with the wrong people.
One of the most important questions is whether officers had a lawful basis to stop you, detain you, and search your vehicle, home, or phone in the first place. If there was no valid warrant or adequate probable cause, or if the scope of the search exceeded what was permitted, I can ask the court in Orange County to suppress the evidence, which may significantly weaken the prosecution's case.
When appropriate, I also explore options such as diversion programs, treatment-based resolutions, or reductions to lesser charges that better fit the facts and your background. These options are not available in every case, but in some situations they can help minimize the long-term damage of a drug accusation. I take time to explain each possible path so you can decide how to proceed based on a clear understanding of the risks and potential benefits.
Working to Protect Your Rights and Freedoms—Contact Our Drug Trafficking Attorney in Orange County
Along with the criminal penalties you face for drug trafficking, a conviction will also bring on other negative consequences, such as the suspension or revocation of professional licenses, immigration status problems for non-citizens, and problems qualifying for financial aid. It can also impact child custody matters.
A conviction can alter your life in numerous ways, which is why it's important to have an aggressive lawyer fighting for you. At Alan Castillo - Attorney at Law, I will work diligently to work toward a favorable outcome on your behalf.
Find out how I can defend you by contacting my firm at (949) 234-6525.
