Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

30 pills of what? E? Hydrocodone? The substance matters... But more importantly, what they think they can prove matters.

If it was prescription drugs, but not your prescription, you could face anything from a misdemeanor for possessing prescription drugs without a prescription up to a felony (especially if it was an opiate).

If it was a street drug, odds are you'll face felony possession charges.

And for any substance, if they think you had the intent to sell or distribute, you'll face those felony charges.

The difference is huge. Simple possession may get you a drug program and an eventual dismissal. Sales charges are ineligible for programs and can never e reduced to misdemeanors.

There may be additional legal defenses (search issues, Miranda, etc) that you need to discuss with your lawyer. I'm in the city of Orange if you want to call and set up a consultation.

I agree with Mr. Dane, you don't provide sufficient information as to what the pills were, what charges were filed, and whether there is any enhancing allegations.

You�ll learn the actual charge[s] filed and get copies of all the police reports and test results when appearing for arraignment at the first court hearing. The prosecutors can amend at any time they believe they can prove additional or different charges. The charges determine how much �time� and fines could be imposed if convicted.

In California, if convicted of any felony, you potentially face one or more years in prison, plus fines; on any misdemeanor, you potentially face up to 6-12 months in jail, plus fines. Multiple counts and charges will multiply your problems. If you have priors and strikes, those will add �penalty �enhancements� under the 3-Strikes rules. If this constitutes a probation or parole violation, factor those new charge[s] and old sentence[s] in as well.

Of course you can fight the charges. When arrested or charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or confession be used against you, and can you be convicted, and what can you do? Raise all possible defenses with whatever admissible and credible witnesses, evidence, facts and sympathies are available for legal arguments, for evidence suppression or other motions, or at trial. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney that does, who will try to get a dismissal, diversion program, reduction, or other decent outcome through plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.

If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I�ll be happy to help, using whatever defenses there may be.