Redmond O’Neal was arrested and jailed in Los Angeles County after officers found heroin in his car. O’Neal is the son of actors Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal. Officers say they found heroin in O’Neal’s vehicle after they stopped him for a traffic violation. O’Neal completed a drug diversion program stemming from a previous drug arrest, and is currently on probation as a result of that arrest in Los Angeles County.
In California, possession of heroin is codified under Health and Safety Code section 11350. This code section states that it is unlawful for anyone to possess specific “controlled substances” without a valid prescription. The most common examples of possessed controlled substances, as it relates to Health and Safety Code section 11350, include opiates, heroin, and peyote.
A conviction of a Health and Safety Code 11350 is typically a misdemeanor. If convicted of this offense, the defendant faces up to one year in county jail on a first offense. The punishment that a person receives depends in large part to the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the defendant’s convictions, if any.
There a number of defenses that can be raised when someone is accused. The most common defenses to an alleged violation of Health and Safety Code section 11350 are that the accused has a valid prescription, or that they did not possess any controlled substance, and as such, no violation has occurred.
If you or a loved one has been arrested, it is imperative you contact our firm. Hiring an experienced criminal defense law firm is the best way to ensure you keep your freedom. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been helping people for over 30 years.
Please feel free to contact Wallin & Klarich to discuss your case. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 877-466-5245 or go to our website at wklaw.com for more information.