Criminal Defense
Know Your Rights: Students Are Protected from Strip Searches by School Officials
The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided a strip search was illegal where a minor student was suspected of carrying Ibuprofen on campus. During an incident in 2003 at Safford Middle School, a student told school officials that Savana Redding was carrying the painkillers. Two female staffers proceeded to conduct the strip search of Redding, but found no pills. The Supreme Court affirmed the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals ruling in…
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Pot Dispensary Owner Sentenced to Prison in Los Angeles
Thoughts by a Wallin & Klarich Criminal Defense Attorney A Morro Bay pot dispensary owner was sentenced to one year and one day in prison by a federal judge in Los Angeles, according to a published report on . Charles Lynch, 47, was prosecuted for illegally distributing marijuana from his Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers facility, despite having the blessing of Morro Bay's mayor, city attorney and other civic leaders. His…
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Man Arrested Trying to Smuggle Marijuana Ashore on Surfboard
He Will Need an Experienced California Criminal Defense Attorney A Mexican national was arrested about 200 yards off of Imperial Beach by U.S. Border patrol officials, according to an article by Tony Perry on the June 9th, 2009 Los Angeles Times website. The man was allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana into the United States via his surfboard, which he was seen on paddling off the shores of Imperial Beach. When…
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San Fernando Valley Doctor Convicted Of Selling Painkillers
Masoud Bamdad, 55, was convicted of 13 counts of illegal drug distribution and faces a maximum sentence of more than 300 years in prison for improperly prescribing powerful painkillers to his drug-addicted patients and undercover DEA agents. Prosecutors portrayed Bamdad as little more than a common drug dealer. Customers in his offices would pay him $140 or more for prescriptions to drugs like oxycodone. Authorities said he admitted receiving about…
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How is Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in California Different than Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol?
Anyone who drives while using drugs, either legal or illegal, can be arrested for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). In California, DUID is prosecuted in much the same manner as driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). However, unlike drunk-driving cases, there is no legal limit when it comes to driving under the influence of drugs in California. The primary issue in any California drug crime DUID case…
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California Drug Possession Crime: “Actual” Possession vs. “Constructive” Possession
The most important thing to keep in mind when dealing with a charge involving drug possession in California is an understanding that "ownership" of the substance has little bearing on the question of possession. California criminal drug crimes are based on violations of laws that do not take into account whether the substance found actually belonged to you or another person. All the law concerns itself with is whether you…
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Marijuana Offense Sentence Delayed
U.S. District Judge Delays Sentencing for Convicted Marijuana Distributor Represented by Criminal Defense Attorney A federal judge recently delayed the sentencing of a Morro Bay man on March 24, 2009, who was facing drug charges for running a medical marijuana dispensary, according to the LA Daily Journal. Last year, Charles C. Lynch was found guilty of distributing over 100 kilograms of marijuana from his Central Coast Compassionate Caregiver dispensary, and…
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Rapper Coolio Charged With Cocaine Possession and Will Likely Seek Representation by an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
An article in the Los Angeles Times describes the arrest and charging of rapper and actor 'Coolio' with battery and possession of cocaine after a run-in at the Los Angeles International Airport. The well known entertainer allegedly grabbed a screener's arm to prevent the search of his luggage, which allegedly uncovered rock cocaine. Coolio's real name, Artis Leon Ivey, 45, was charged with one felony count of possession of cocaine,…
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San Diego Drug Diversion Program Granted By Judge
Judge Reverses 19-Year Sentence and Gives Criminal Defendant Drug Diversion Program On Appeal by Criminal Defense Attorney Chauncey Lee Harris was convicted in San Diego Superior Court of transportation of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics paraphernalia in San Diego. The jury in the case specifically made a finding that the transportation of the controlled substance was for personal use. The court also made a finding that Harris had…
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Selling Drugs in California: Concurrent & Consecutive Sentences
If You Are Arrested for Selling Drugs and the Police Saw You Making Several Sales, You Must Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney. If you were arrested for selling drugs in a California drug crime, you should know the difference between consecutive and concurrent sentences because new case law might affect your maximum exposure to time in prison. In re: Noelle M., a minor was arrested for selling methadone at…
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