Are you facing drug charges in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the State of California? Attitudes towards marijuana and its use have changed in recent years to where many states even allow its medicinal use. Nationally, California has a reputation as a state with liberal marijuana laws but the reality is a drug charge can seriously complicate your life. Drug charges, even if the drug is marijuana, can be a serious matter.
In the fall of 2010 California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill to decriminalize possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. But that does not mean there are no consequences to the individual who is found with marijuana. It does change the process slightly, by changing the charge of possession, from a misdemeanor to an infraction.
This means a person found to be in possession of up to an ounce of marijuana will not find themselves taken to jail immediately. In fact there is no danger of a jail sentence, but you may be subjected to a fine. However, it is important to stress that decriminalized does not mean possession of marijuana is legal.
This bill, SB 1449, was largely driven by financial considerations. By reducing simple possession to an infraction, the state saved a tremendous amount of money by freeing up judges and jail space. However, it is wrong to assume that Los Angeles law enforcement agencies now have a casual attitude towards marijuana, as the governor signaled when he signed the bill.
“I am signing this measure because possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name,” said Schwarzenegger. “The only difference is that because it is a misdemeanor, a criminal defendant is entitled to a jury trial and a defense attorney. In this time of drastic budget cuts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources prosecuting a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket.”
In the State of California drug charges are still a serious issue. After the defeat of Prop 19, there are still laws in place that make smoking marijuana in public or in the presence of minors, a misdemeanor. Even first time Los Angeles drug charges can affect your reputation and your employment. An attorney with experience in the changing climate of California drug law can minimize the affect drug charges could have on your life.
