Search & Seizure Laws

What are my constitutional rights in a drug crime case?

A crucial factor in any case of drug crimes is the question of whether the rights of the defendant were violated in building the case or making the arrest. A large number of cases are dropped on the grounds that the evidence was illegally obtained. Criminal suspects in our country are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and there are strict rules of evidence to protect citizens from unfair prosecution and imprisonment. Even if you were arrested while in possession of narcotics or engaged in the cultivation or manufacturing of illegal controlled substances, it is necessary for the prosecution to prove that the law enforcement officials who made the arrest did so in accordance with law.

The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States guarantees legal protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, meaning that you cannot be searched without a warrant that is issued based on probable cause. An example of how this could apply is if you were arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana. You may face the possibility of harsh criminal penalties such as jail time, fines and probation if you are convicted, but if your Los Angeles drug crime lawyer can demonstrate to the court that the police officer didn't have probable cause and that your rights were violated, the case will most likely be thrown out.

Los Angeles Drug Crime Attorney

The team at Okabe & Haushalter are among the top attorneys in our area on the subject of search & seizure. Mark Haushalter and Ryan Okabe co-author the California Loose-leaf Search and Seizure Handbook, a leading authority on criminal law in California. By working with our firm, you can take full advantage of our expertise in this field in exercising your Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Our goal will be to have the charges against you dropped or reduced so that you don't have to suffer the consequences of a conviction.

Contact a Los Angeles drug crime lawyer who can help you assert your constitutional rights against illegal search and seizure in defending against your charges.