Riverside Drug Trafficking and Possession Involving Opioids Attorney

Over the last several years, the United States has experienced an epidemic of opioid-related deaths. Opioids are incredibly potent painkillers, but they carry significant risks including overdose and accidental death, even with responsible use. Unfortunately, the effects of opioids also make them prime targets for recreational abuse, and many people who become addicted to legitimate opioid medications eventually turn to illegal means of procuring more opioids to maintain their addictions and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have implemented several strategies aimed at curbing this deadly trend, the fact remains that opioids are powerfully addictive and very dangerous. Many people in Riverside, San Bernardino, and elsewhere in the Inland Empire of California have faced significant problems related to opioids, from opioid-related deaths among their friends and families to arrests for drug trafficking and drug possession charges involving opioids.

Why Hire the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey for Opioid Charges in Riverside?

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey understand the severity of the ongoing opioid crisis and the dedication of public safety officers in removing illicit opioids from the streets of Riverside, CA. However, we also acknowledge that many people accused of drug trafficking and possession of opioids only turned to illegal activity out of desperation and the significant hold that opioid addiction can have over a person.

Founding attorney Catherine A. Schwartz has more than 30 years of experience as a Riverside attorney. Her firm of experienced lawyers have the skills, experience, and connections to provide the best possible criminal defense representation to Riverside clients facing drug trafficking and drug possession charges for opioids in California.

While we understand the need for law enforcement to crack down on illegal opioid operations in the state, we also believe that people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes due to addiction and desperation need medical assistance and counseling more than jail time and fines. When you choose the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey to represent your case in Riverside, you can rest assured our team will put the full weight of our skills and resources behind your case and support you every step of the way.

Potential Penalties for Drug Trafficking and Possession of Opioids in Riverside

Drug trafficking and possession can lead to a wide variety of legal penalties in Riverside, San Bernardino, and everywhere else in the Inland Empire of California. The two main factors involved in determining these penalties are generally the schedule of drug involved and the quantity. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, drugs are scheduled based on their potential for abuse and medical validity. Opioids fall into several schedule categories.

Prescription opioid painkillers such as oxycodone and methadone fall under Schedule II categorization. Schedule II drugs are legal to own and use with a valid prescription, but they carry high potential for abuse. Heroin, a synthetic opioid, is a Schedule I drug, or a drug with no accepted medical applications and a high potential for abuse. The differences in penalties for drug trafficking or possession can vary greatly between Schedule I and Schedule II opioids.

California law states that it is illegal to transport any controlled substances over county lines or for the purposes of illegal sale. Depending on the type of drug and the quantity involved, drug trafficking charges could lead to several years in prison, substantial fines, and additional penalties. Riverside County officials will also impose additional penalties for illegal drug trafficking activities conducting within certain proximity to schools and playgrounds.

Defending Against Drug Trafficking and Possession Charges for Opioids

When it comes to defending against charges for drug trafficking or possession involving opioids, options typically hinge on the exact substance involved and the arrested individual’s circumstances. Cases involving drug trafficking motivated solely by an effort to make money generally incur tougher penalties than those committed out of desperation.

For example, an individual who traffics several pounds of heroin or illegally produced fentanyl through the state and across county lines will face a much greater charge than a person caught with several oxycodone pills and an expired prescription, especially if the person displays clear signs of opioid dependency. Our firm represents those who face drug trafficking charges as well as those who face charges for possession.

If you are facing drug trafficking or possession charges involving opioids due to addiction, the right attorney can show the prosecution that jail time and heavy fines will not help you to recover. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey want to help Riverside families affected by opioid abuse and clarify the circumstances surrounding drug trafficking and possession charges related to opioids.

Choose Reliable and Compassionate Legal Counsel in Riverside

If you or a loved one currently face drug trafficking or possession charges for opioids, we can help. Whether you made a mistake and attempted to make some quick cash by selling opioids or simply turned to desperate measures because of addiction, our firm will determine the best available defenses and build a solid case. In some cases, we can help a client plea down to lesser charges in exchange for submitting to medical treatment and rehabilitation, potentially avoiding jail time. Contact us online today or call the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey in Riverside, CA at (951) 686-8190 to schedule a free initial consultation with our legal team, and we will let you know what we can do to help.