California Drug Crime Lawyers
Los Angeles Drug Possession Attorneys
Thanks to the federal government's "war on drugs," penalties for narcotics-related crimes can be very harsh. Politicians who want to look tough on drugs often allow very severe penalties for drug crimes, which can have serious consequences for the futures of those charged. The criminal penalties are complex, depending on the drug, the amount you were caught with and the circumstances of your arrest, but even simple possession may carry prison time, steep fines, and the lifelong stigma of a felony conviction. The penalties rise significantly if your arrest involved violence, if it's not the first offense or if firearms were involved. Unlike other crimes, many drug crimes also carry non-criminal penalties like ineligibility for student loans or federal assistance programs, adverse consequences in immigration court and trouble with professional licensing or military service. And of course, a narcotics charge can hurt you at work and in any family-law proceedings.
California law takes a more moderate approach to drug crimes than federal law. In California, nonviolent first offenders are eligible for drug court under Proposition 36. Participants plead guilty, but instead of going to prison, they undergo a year of classes and rehab and commit to taking regular drug tests for 18 months. The Los Angeles drug charge attorneys at Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff work first and foremost to get drug court (also known as the drug diversion program) for all of our clients who qualify. If you don't qualify, we may still be able to reduce your charges or the penalties you face, allowing you to qualify for drug court or probation. And in cases where law enforcement made a mistake that violated your civil rights, we may be able to get your case dismissed altogether. Using our long experience as former Los Angeles County district attorneys and as experts in the field of criminal law, we promise to examine everything about your arrest and subsequent treatment to find errors or misuse of power that destroys the case against you.
Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff is a Los Angeles drug crime defense law firm with a unique edge: Every one of our partners is a former Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, and each one has additional qualifications that puts us head and shoulders above other criminal defense firms. Attorney Paul Takakjian is a State Bar-certified criminal law specialist; attorney Don Sowers is a former police detective who teaches criminal law at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy; and attorney Steve Sitkoff is a former Superior Court Commissioner. Our experience on the other side of the table gives us an intimate knowledge of how law enforcement and prosecutors build cases -- knowledge that gives your defense a winning edge. We know the judges and prosecutors in Los Angeles, and we know where to look for errors and omissions in your case that can set you free. That knowledge is reflected in our record of successes, which includes placing clients in drug diversion programs, probation and reduced charges and penalties.
If you've been charged with a drug crime in Los Angeles, you're facing charges that could change everything about your future -- your job, your education, even your family. With so much at stake, you need the experience and knowledge of the three former district attorneys of Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff. Call our California drug crime defense lawyers today to schedule a free consultation on your case.
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Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff has an outstanding reputation for getting our clients superior results using the expertise, experience, and knowledge of our drug crime attorneys and staff. We offer reasonable fees and have offices conveniently located throughout California.