DRUG CRIMES

The Law Offices of Mark R. McDonald has a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with ALL types of drug charges under the Controlled Substance Act. The Controlled Substance Act is a consolidation of laws that regulate the possession, manufacturing and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the illicit production of controlled substances or illegal drugs.

The Act breaks down narcotics into 5 different categories or "schedules", the most serious being "Schedule 1" offenses.

Some examples of "Schedule 1" narcotics are:

• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Methamphetamine
• Ecstasy
• PCP
• LSD

Penalties for schedule 1 narcotics offenses are severe. Depending on the amount of narcotic seized, a first offense conviction could mean a prison term of up to 20 years plus fines; and, if you have been convicted of 2 previous offenses, you could be facing life in prison.

Marijuana laws vary slightly from the above and are generally based on the amount of marijuana or hashish seized. However the penalties for marijuana and hashish can be equally as severe, depending upon the quantity.

For a concise list of controlled substances and related penalties, please refer to https://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm.

If you have been charged with an offense under the Controlled Substance Act, do not attempt to face the court system without representation from a criminal attorney who has experience in successfully defending clients charged with drug crimes.

Your attorney may be able to reduce the penalties or even have the case dismissed by doing the following:

• Have the evidence against you thrown out of court. If you were searched and evidence was collected against you, it must have been done according to the law. If the method by which law enforcement personnel carried out the search of your property was illegal, the evidence against you cannot be used in court.
• If this is your first offense and there was no violence involved, you could be eligible for alternative sentencing such as diversion program, special drug court or in California, proposition 36.

A diversion program means that, if you plead guilty...and...if you submit to random drug testing for a specified period of time...and if you test "clean"; your case will be dismissed.

Drug court is an alternative for drug-addicted offenders. The court will use a combination of steps geared to rehabilitating you. Each phase must be successfully completed before you will be eligible to enter the next phase. If you successfully complete all phases of rehabilitation, the charges will be dismissed.

California Proposition 36, offers an alternative to incarceration for non-violent first time offenders. You will be placed on probation and sentenced to a drug rehabilitation facility for a year and follow-up care for an additional period of 6 months.

National Treatment Centers and Counseling

Sober Living By The Sea
https://www.soberliving.com

Soberville - Social Model Sober Living for Men
https://www.soberville.com/

Visions Adolescent Treatment Center
https://www.visionsteen.com

Dallas Taylor, Interventionist
https://www.dallastaylorband.com/recovery.html
Dallas Taylor, former Crosby Stills and Nash musician and recovered addict, is a practicing interventionist and drug counselor, working with recovering addicts.

Clearview Treatment Programs
https://www.clearviewtreatment.com
Los Angeles-area comprehensive, outpatient addiction treatment is provided in a safe, personal, and confidential setting, along with vocational and educational assistance.

Sunrise Recovery Ranch
https://www.drugrehabranch.com
Drug and alcoholism treatment facility, 30-day program, all-male facility located in the Southern California foothills area, near Riverside. Drug rehab and addiction recovery programs are based on the 12-Step method.

New Directions for Women
https://www.newdirectionsforwomen.com
A not-for-profit residential treatment and recovery facility dedicated to helping women with alcohol and drug dependencies. Facilities for "women with children"also available.

Rancho L'Abri
https://www.rancholabri.com
Rancho LAbri, located near San Diego California, is a non-hospital based treatment program for the chemically dependent and dually diagnosed individual.

Expedition House
https://www.orangecountydrugrehab.com
Expedition House, located in Anaheim, California, (Orange County), offers an affordable, flexible chemical dependency alternative, providing alcohol & drug treatment, rehabilitation and sober living.

Sanctuary Byron Bay Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Retreat
https://www.sanctuarybb.com/flash/
An exclusive therapeutic retreat that specializes in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence, catering for people with substance related disorders and associated dual diagnoses.