Los Angeles Cocaine Possession Lawyer

Were you charged with cocaine possession in Los Angeles? You need to hire a drug crimes attorney to fight for your rights.

At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law, our team brings more than 100 years of combined criminal defense experience to cases exactly like yours. 

Based in Beverly Hills, attorney William Kroger has successfully defended clients across Los Angeles County facing cocaine possession, possession with intent to sell, and cocaine trafficking charges.

There is no obligation, and our Los Angeles cocaine possession lawyers are ready to start reviewing your case today. Contact us today at (323) 655-5700 for a consultation.

Why Choose William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law for Your Los Angeles Cocaine Case?

When you are facing a cocaine charge, you need more than a lawyer with a desk and a law degree. You need a team with a proven record in serious drug cases.

Our firm has successfully defended clients in large-scale narcotics cases, including a not guilty verdict in a federal case involving 220 kilos of cocaine. We have also secured dismissals in serious felony matters across Los Angeles. Attorney William Kroger is recognized by Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

We take the time to walk you through every stage of the criminal process so you never have to guess what comes next. We also serve Spanish-speaking clients with interpreters when needed.

One mistake shouldn't define your future

contact our defense team.

call us now 323-655-5700

Why You Need a Los Angeles Cocaine Possession Lawyer

Cocaine charges move fast in California. The moment an arrest is made, prosecutors begin building a case against you. They will look at the quantity found, where you were, and every person nearby.

A skilled Los Angeles cocaine possession attorney steps in early to review the evidence, find weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and clearly explain your legal rights. Early action often means more options.

Attorney William Kroger is a seasoned criminal defense attorney with decades of experience in California courtrooms. He knows how prosecutors think and how to challenge their evidence. The sooner you call, the stronger your defense can be.

What Is Cocaine Possession? (Under California Law)

Cocaine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under California Health and Safety Code 11055(b)(6). That means the state considers it to have a high potential for abuse, even though it has limited recognized medical use.

Simple possession means having cocaine on your person, in your vehicle, or in a place you control, without a valid prescription from a licensed physician. Cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine, is also a Schedule II substance but carries harsher penalties under separate statutes. Even a small amount can lead to a criminal charge.

California Health and Safety Code 11350 HSC

Health and Safety Code 11350 makes it illegal to possess cocaine for personal use. To charge you under this statute, prosecutors must prove all of the following:

1. You possessed a controlled substance, specifically cocaine.
2. You knew the substance was present.
3. You knew it was a controlled substance.
4. The amount was a usable quantity, not just a residue or trace.

You do not have to be holding cocaine in your hand to face charges. Prosecutors may argue constructive possession, meaning the drug was found somewhere you had access to or control over, such as your home, your car, or your bag. You can also be charged even if others had access to the same space.

Knowledge of the Substance

Knowledge is a required element the prosecution must prove. They cannot simply say the cocaine was near you and assume you knew it was there. If you had no idea the substance existed, or if you genuinely did not know it was a controlled substance, that is a real and viable defense. The burden is always on the prosecution to prove knowledge beyond a reasonable doubt.

Constructive Possession

Constructive possession means you did not have cocaine directly on your body, but you had control over the location where it was found. Cases involving shared apartments, borrowed vehicles, or group gatherings often raise serious questions about who actually possessed the substance.

A skilled defense attorney will challenge whether the prosecution can truly connect the cocaine to you, and not to someone else.

Penalties for Cocaine Possession in California

Criminal Penalties

Simple cocaine possession under Health and Safety Code 11350 is now a misdemeanor in most cases. The penalties include:

• Up to one year in county jail
• Fines and court fees
• Probation
• A permanent criminal record

Diversion programs may also be available to eligible defendants, allowing for drug treatment instead of jail time. Successful completion can result in dismissal of the charges.

If you are charged with possession with intent to sell under Health and Safety Code 11351, the stakes are much higher:

• Two, three, or four years in California state prison
• Up to five years if the substance is cocaine base under Health and Safety Code 11351.5
• Substantial fines

For transportation or sale of cocaine under Health and Safety Code 11352, penalties include:

• Three, four, or five years in state prison
• Up to nine years if the cocaine is transported across two or more county lines
• Enhanced sentences for prior drug convictions or aggravating factors such as proximity to a school or involving a minor
• Asset forfeiture

Collateral Consequences

A cocaine conviction does not end when you walk out of the courtroom. The consequences follow you for years and affect nearly every part of your life. These include:

• Loss of child custody or visitation rights
• Loss of the right to own or possess a firearm
• Serious barriers to employment in many industries
• Loss of professional licenses in healthcare, education, law, and other licensed fields
• Immigration consequences, including deportation or denial of citizenship for non-citizens
• Loss of access to federal student loans or housing assistance
• Difficulty passing background checks for housing, employment, or security clearances

These are real, lasting consequences. This is exactly why accepting a plea deal without a thorough defense review can cost you far more than you realize.

Defenses Against Cocaine Possession Charges

Attorney William Kroger will review every detail of your case before building a defense strategy. No two cases are identical. Common and effective defenses in Los Angeles cocaine possession cases include:

• Illegal search and seizure: If police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, searched without a valid warrant, or lacked probable cause, the evidence may be thrown out entirely.
• Lack of knowledge: You did not know the cocaine was present, or you did not know the substance was a controlled drug.
• Lack of possession: The cocaine was not yours, and you had no actual control over the location or container where it was found.
• Not a usable quantity: A trace residue amount does not meet the legal threshold required for a possession conviction.
• Entrapment: Law enforcement induced or pressured you into an offense you would not have otherwise committed.
• Chain of custody issues: Errors in how evidence was collected, stored, or tested in the lab can create serious doubt about the reliability of the prosecution's evidence.
• False accusation: Cocaine charges sometimes arise from false claims made by a disgruntled partner, roommate, or co-defendant. Witness credibility and physical evidence matter.

Every piece of evidence and every witness statement can make a difference. Call us today and let us find the angles the prosecution does not want you to know about.

Our Experience: A Real Case Study and How We Can Help

Attorney William Kroger and his team secured a “Not Guilty” verdict for a client, following two hung juries. The client was alleged to have transported 220 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in an 18-wheel truck. The client was pronounced not guilty and was released the day after.

Mr. Kroger has never worked as a prosecutor or in law enforcement and has always been a 100% defense-oriented lawyer. He has dedicated his professional life to defending his clients and providing the best possible legal representation. When you hire William Kroger and the rest of our team here, you know that you have an attorney who has always been on your side.

Most criminal defense attorneys began their careers as prosecutors. After a number of years, they change sides and tell potential clients that this helps them “know how the other side thinks.” What it really means is that anyone who has worked as a prosecutor has imprisoned and taken money and property from the very same people they now represent.

Speak With Our Los Angeles Cocaine Defense Attorney Today

If you are facing cocaine charges in Los Angeles, do not wait. Call William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law right now. When you reach out, we will provide a free, no-obligation consultation, walk through the facts of your case, and explain your rights and your options in plain language.

There is no obligation. Your consultation is free and completely confidential. Call us today at (323) 655-5700.

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