6 Things You Should Do After Being Arrested for Possession or Sale of Controlled Substances in Huntington Beach – HS 11350
If you have been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of or selling a controlled substance in Huntington Beach, there is no question that this is a scary time for you. Under California Health and Safety Code 11350 HS, possessing specific controlled substances is a crime. A controlled substance is defined under the law as a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession and use are regulated by the government. If you are arrested for possession or sale of controlled substances, call the Huntington Beach drug crime defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich immediately.
The Law Relating to Controlled Substances
Common examples of controlled substances in Huntington Beach include heroin, cocaine, opiates, marijuana and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, commonly known as GHB or a “date rape drug.” Under California law, possession of prescription drugs such as codeine, Oxycodone and Vicodin are also prohibited without a doctor’s prescription.
In order to obtain a conviction, the prosecution in a drug possession case must prove that you had the drug in your possession, you were aware of the drug’s presence and there was a sufficient quantity of the drug to be used as a controlled substance. If officials confiscate a larger quantity of drugs in addition to measuring devices such as scales, you may face possession with intent to sell charges. In order to obtain a conviction on those charges, the prosecution must be able to prove that you had the intention to sell the drugs.
What to Do If You Have Been Arrested
- Remain silent. Do not talk to the authorities without your attorney present. What you say or do after you have been arrested can and will be used against you. Be polite and courteous to the arresting officer, but do not divulge specific information about anything.
- Contact your attorney. It is important that you get an experienced Huntington Beach criminal defense attorney on board as soon as possible. Your defense lawyer will speak to law enforcement so you do not have to. Your attorney experienced in drug defense will ensure that your rights are protected.
- Be honest with your attorney. Your attorney cannot help you if you are not honest and forthright about your case. He or she needs to know all details and specifics relating to your case. All discussions between you and your attorney will be private and confidential.
- Immediately upon release, you must be sure to prepare a written statement as to your version of events. The police officer will be preparing a police report within minutes after your arrest and you need to do so as well.
- Prepare a list of witnesses to the events surrounding your arrest. This list should include the names, addresses and phone numbers of all potential witnesses favorable to your case.
- Be calm and polite. Do not resist arrest or put up a fight – even if you strongly believe that your rights are being violated or you are being wrongfully arrested. Putting up resistance will only result in additional charges.
Call a Huntington Beach Drug Crime Defense Attorney Today
If you are being charged with possession or sale of controlled substances in Huntington Beach, call the experienced drug crime defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich immediately. When you retain the services of Wallin & Klarich, we will explore every possible way to get your charges dismissed. We will look into whether the police had probable cause to detain you and whether they obtained the evidence legally without violating your constitutional rights. Our lawyers have more than 40 years of experience defending clients facing drug charges in Orange County.
Call us at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 to find out how we can help you. We will be there when you call.