Pasadena Drug Crimes Lawyer

Facing a drug charge in Pasadena is frightening, and the choices you make now matter. At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law, our Pasadena drug crimes lawyers defend people accused of possession, sales, and trafficking across California.

We explain every stage of your case and fight to protect your record and your freedom. Call us at (323) 655-5700 for a free case evaluation.

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Why Choose William S. Kroger for Drug Crime Cases in Pasadena?

Our Pasadena criminal defense lawyers bring more than 75 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case we handle. We have defended over 5,000 criminal cases throughout California, including complex drug matters that other firms turn away.

Our record in serious narcotics cases speaks directly to what is at stake. In one case involving 220 kilos of cocaine, we secured a not guilty verdict for our client. We have also obtained dismissals in serious felony matters where the evidence seemed stacked against the accused.

Drug charges move quickly, and confusion makes a hard situation worse. Our attorneys carefully explain each stage of the process so you always know what to expect. For clients who are more comfortable in Spanish, we provide interpreters so nothing gets lost.

Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys have recognized our firm for the quality of our work. When your freedom is on the line, that experience and recognition give you a powerful ally in the courtroom.

Drug Crimes We Defend in Pasadena

At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law, we handle the full range of drug charges filed in Los Angeles County, from minor possession to large-scale trafficking.

Simple Possession

Simple possession under Health and Safety Code 11350 and 11377 covers drugs held for personal use, from cocaine and heroin to methamphetamine. Most of these charges are misdemeanors after Proposition 47. We work to keep clients out of jail and eligible for treatment.

Possession for Sale

Possession for sale under Health and Safety Code 11351 and 11378 is a felony, even without a completed sale. Prosecutors point to quantity, packaging, scales, and cash to prove intent. We challenge those assumptions and push to reduce the charge when the facts allow.

Sale and Transportation

Sale and transportation under Health and Safety Code 11352 and 11379 carry years in state prison. The law does not require police to witness an actual sale. We examine how officers gathered their evidence and whether they can prove you intended to sell.

Under the Influence

Being under the influence of a controlled substance violates Health and Safety Code 11550. This misdemeanor often qualifies for diversion and treatment instead of jail. We help clients address the charge in a way that protects their record and their job.

Marijuana Offenses

While recreational cannabis is legal for adults, marijuana charges still arise from illegal sales, cultivation beyond legal limits, and possession by minors. We defend these cases and correct the common assumption that all marijuana activity is now lawful in California.

Prescription Drug Crimes

Possessing prescription drugs like oxycodone or Adderall without a valid prescription can lead to criminal charges. The same is true for forging a prescription or holding pills for sale. We defend clients accused of misusing legitimate medications and work to limit the damage.

Large-Scale and Federal Trafficking

Large-scale narcotics cases bring the harshest penalties and the most aggressive prosecutors. Our team has defended trafficking allegations involving substantial quantities, including a case built around 220 kilos of cocaine. We know how to take on these high-stakes prosecutions.

Drug Crime Penalties in California

Drug crime penalties in California depend on the offense, the substance, and your record. The penalties for a misdemeanor possession charge look nothing like those for a large-sales case.

In 2014, Proposition 47 reclassified most simple drug possession as a misdemeanor. A conviction generally carries a sentence of up to one year in county jail, and many people avoid jail entirely.

Possession for sale and sales charges remain felonies. A conviction under Health and Safety Code 11352 can result in three to five years in state prison, with longer terms in the most serious cases.

California law changed again with Proposition 36, which took effect in December 2024. The measure created a new treatment-mandated felony for people who possess certain drugs and have two or more prior drug convictions. Those who complete treatment can have the charge dismissed; however, those who do not can face up to three years behind bars.

Proposition 36 also raised other penalties. It added fentanyl to the drugs that trigger a prison term when possessed with a loaded firearm. Larger quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine now carry enhanced prison sentences.

Selling drugs near a school or to a minor can add years to a sentence. These enhancements make experienced representation essential.

Drug Diversion and Alternatives to Incarceration

Not every drug case ends in a conviction or jail time. California offers several paths that prioritize treatment over incarceration, and we pursue them aggressively when a client qualifies.

Penal Code 1000 provides pretrial diversion for people charged with simple possession and similar nonviolent offenses. Eligible clients complete a treatment and education program, and the court then dismisses the charge. A successful outcome leaves no conviction on your record.

Pretrial diversion is generally not available when the charge involves selling drugs or possessing them for sale. That is one reason reducing a sales charge to simple possession can change everything for a client.

Drug court offers another supervised path to treatment for people struggling with substance use. Under Proposition 36, some clients with prior drug convictions can also choose court-ordered treatment in place of incarceration.

William Kroger and his team will review every option early, because the right diversion strategy can protect your future before the case ever reaches trial.

How We Defend Against Drug Charges in Pasadena

A drug charge is an accusation, not a conviction, and the prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Our defense begins by testing whether the state can actually do that.

Many drug cases turn on how police found the evidence. When officers conduct an illegal search or seizure, we move to suppress whatever they discovered. Evidence that the court throws out cannot be used against you.

Possession charges require knowledge and control. We challenge cases where drugs were found in a shared car, home, or space that several people could access.

The prosecution must also prove the substance was a usable amount of an actual controlled substance. Lab errors, contamination, and trace amounts all create reasonable doubt.

In sales cases, intent is often the weakest link. We dismantle the assumption that quantity alone proves you meant to sell. Where police crossed the line and induced the conduct, we raise the entrapment claim.

Where Pasadena Drug Cases Are Heard

Most drug cases arising in Pasadena are handled at the Pasadena Courthouse, part of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Northeast District. The courthouse sits at 300 East Walnut Street and hears felony and misdemeanor matters from Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre.

Local courts each have their own rhythm, prosecutors, and judges. Knowing how drug cases move through this courthouse helps us anticipate the prosecution’s approach and prepare a stronger defense for you. We appear in Los Angeles County courts regularly and put that familiarity to work for our clients.

Drug Crime FAQs

Is drug possession a felony or a misdemeanor in California?

Most simple possession charges are misdemeanors thanks to Proposition 47. That shifted somewhat under Proposition 36 in 2024, which allows a felony for people with two or more prior drug convictions. Possession for sale and sales charges remain felonies.

Can I get my drug charges dismissed through treatment?

Often, yes. Penal Code 1000 pretrial diversion lets many people charged with simple possession complete treatment and have the charge dismissed, and drug court offers a similar path. We assess your eligibility at the very start of your case.

What should I do if I am arrested for a drug crime in Pasadena?

Stay calm and say as little as possible. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, so use both. Avoid explaining or justifying anything to police, then call a drug crimes lawyer before you answer questions.

Do I need a lawyer for a first drug offense?

Yes. Even a first offense can carry a criminal record, jail exposure, and consequences for your job, housing, and immigration status. A lawyer can often secure diversion, a reduction, or a dismissal that protects your future.

Contact a Pasadena Drug Crimes Lawyer Today

A drug charge does not have to define the rest of your life. The sooner you involve a skilled defense attorney, the more options you have to protect your record and your freedom.

At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law, our Pasadena drug crimes lawyers defend clients against every type of drug charge, from simple possession to large-scale trafficking. We bring decades of combined experience, a record of dismissals and acquittals, and a clear explanation of every step ahead.

Call our Pasadena drug crimes team today at (323) 655-5700 to schedule your free case evaluation. Let us start building your defense now.