Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Hs11379(a) hs11378

what factors can change a transportation of selling a controlled substance HS11379(A) and possession for sale (HS11378) conviction to personal use?? My husband was convicted last year for sales. This time he picked up only for personal use. 6 grams meth and a scale. no baggies, no money. this was for personal use only. how do we prove that and reduce sentence to personal use? unfortunately this is a violation on parole (PC1203.2)


Asked on 1/08/07, 6:43 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Hs11379(a) hs11378

Prove it? By properly defending the charges using the facts and evidence available. The quantity, and the purpose/intended use, are factors to be used, proved and argued. You'll need witnesses and evidence to support your contentions.

The arrest itself is likely to be charged as a parole violation that has to be opposed as well.

Feel free to contact me if you decide you need professional help with this.

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Answered on 1/08/07, 2:06 pm
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Hs11379(a) hs11378

Unfortunately, the court is probably not going to split hairs over whether this was "personal use" or "sales." If you do meth, nobody is going to care what happens to you, or whether the scale you were caught with is really for measuring excess postage.

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Answered on 1/08/07, 3:45 pm
Daniel J. Mangan III JuryTrialJustice

Re: Hs11379(a) hs11378

Without more facts I cannot be specific, but genrally speaking,

Existing case law re: transportation

(it moved) vs. possession for sale (intent?) vs. simple possession will not persuade a Court/DA that the facts are only a possession. Quality lawyering may. Not every juror will "just accept" a theory that the contraband was for sale....especially important is a persuasive argument that the "transportation" was mere transportation for personal use and drug treatment would even be an option...warning...this may depend on what the PO does, as if the client is returned to prison...they are unavailable for treatment...... perhaps negotiate into treatment with PO approval gained first.

The OC can be tough.

Best

DJM

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Answered on 1/08/07, 4:29 pm


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