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We are Northern California’s largest law firm, and we work only on criminal defense cases.
Our Oakland criminal defense attorneys bring deep knowledge to every marijuana case. Our track record shows how we get charges dismissed for clients across the Bay Area.
Our Bay Area Marijuana Defense Attorneys Fight for Your Rights
We focus only on criminal defense, which lets our legal team become experts in fighting drug crimes under criminal law. Our criminal defense lawyers provide skilled legal representation and know the prosecutors and judges in all Bay Area courts. This helps us turn jail time into reduced charges or get your case dismissed completely.
Our client testimonials show our success. One client said, “Summit Defense got my growing charge reduced to simple possession. I did community service instead of going to county jail.” This shows how we know our way around the criminal justice system.
When you face marijuana charges, you need defense lawyers who really know drug laws. Our San Francisco and Oakland criminal defense attorneys build the best defense for your case. We offer a free initial consultation to review your marijuana case and plan the best course of action to protect your rights.
Understanding California’s Marijuana Laws
California made pot legal, but many legal traps remain. State law says adults can have up to one ounce of marijuana. Anything more can lead to criminal charges. Many clients come to us shocked after being arrested. They thought they were following the law but missed some key details.
The rules also change as you move between counties. What Oakland police might ignore could get you arrested in other Bay Area spots. San Francisco cops often take a different approach than police in nearby towns.
The clash between federal and California law creates more risk. Under federal law, all marijuana remains a controlled substance. This means you could face federal charges even when following state rules. Cannabis businesses face big risks from federal drug crime cases, even with proper state licenses.
Our criminal defense lawyers stay up to date on all law changes. We know both California law and federal rules well. This knowledge helps us build our best defense in court.
Common Marijuana Charges We Defend Against
Our defense attorneys have handled every type of marijuana case in the criminal justice system. We create a custom defense based on your specific charges.
Possession Over Legal Limits
California lets you have up to one ounce of marijuana. Having more can result in criminal charges. We carefully check if the police measured your marijuana correctly. Our team fights any illegal search that leads to finding your pot. We work to keep bad evidence out of court when police step on your rights during your arrest.
Unlicensed Sales and Distribution
The line between sharing pot and illegal sales isn’t always clear. Even giving marijuana as a gift can lead to unlawful possession charges if the police think money has changed hands. Our criminal defense attorneys fight these charges by picking apart the evidence. We’ve helped many clients avoid jail time for sales charges.
Illegal Growing Operations
Home growing rules vary across the Bay Area. Some places allow outdoor growing, while others limit how many plants you can have. We help clients facing growing charges by looking at local rules and questioning how police gathered evidence. Our law firm has a strong record of getting cultivation charges reduced or thrown out.
Moving Marijuana Between Counties
Carrying pot between Bay Area counties creates legal risk. Even with legally bought marijuana, you can face charges when driving through stricter areas. Our attorneys challenge traffic stops and car searches. We fight open container violations and protect your rights throughout your case.
Why You Need Marijuana Law Experts
When facing pot charges, not just any lawyer will do it. You need criminal defense lawyers who know cannabis law inside and out.
Many lawyers don’t fully understand marijuana laws and medical marijuana rules. They miss chances to use legal loopholes or don’t spot problems with how evidence was collected. Our attorneys focus on drug crime cases every day. This gives us better insight into what works in marijuana cases. We use our deep knowledge of California law to fight for case dismissal.
Our firm has a proven track record in drug courts across the Bay Area. About 90% of our clients stay out of jail on first-time charges. We’ve helped countless people get their cases dismissed through special programs. When you work with Summit Defense, you get lawyers who know the judges and prosecutors handling your case.
Criminal records harm your whole life. They affect jobs, housing, and school options. That’s why we fight hard for the best result in every criminal defense case. Our goal is always to get your case dismissed or charges reduced to protect your future.
Drug Crimes Defense
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Experienced, Dedicated & Battle-Tested Bay Area Defense Attorneys
Summit Defense is Northern California’s largest exclusively Criminal Defense Law Firm. Our Bay Area criminal defense attorneys are all highly experienced, aggressive and battle tested. We have taken much care in putting this team together in an effort to provide you with the best legal team in the bay area.
About the Firm
Defending Cannabis Businesses & Workers
Pot shops and their workers face special legal risks. Owners and staff can face criminal charges even when trying to follow California’s complex rules.
License Problems That Lead to Charges
Marijuana businesses face criminal prosecution for breaking complex rules. Problems with labels, taxes, or safety code issues can lead to serious charges. Our attorneys help cannabis businesses understand these rules. We defend them when problems come up by showing their good-faith efforts to follow the law in their business operations.
Police Raids on Cannabis Shops
Law enforcement still raids cannabis operations, often claiming safety code problems. Our criminal defense lawyers look at every part of these raids. We challenge search warrants and question how police took the evidence. We’ve won dismissed charges in many cases where police broke constitutional rights during raids.
When Workers Face Criminal Charges
Staff in the marijuana industry face legal risks, too. Workers can face criminal charges based on their employer’s actions. We protect industry workers from taking the blame for business decisions. Our legal team provides a strong defense for everyone in the pot business.
Our Defense Strategies for Marijuana Cases
We check every detail when building your defense. We combine deep investigation with strong courtroom work to get you the best outcome.
Fighting Illegal Searches
Police often break Fourth Amendment rights in marijuana cases. They might search your car without cause or enter your home with a bad warrant. These mistakes can get the evidence thrown out. Our attorneys review police reports and videos to find rights violations. We file motions to suppress evidence when police step on your rights during the arrest.
Getting Your Charges Reduced
When we can’t get full dismissal, we work to reduce penalties through smart talks with prosecutors. We’ve helped clients turn felony charges into lesser ones, often avoiding jail completely. Our good standing with Bay Area prosecutors helps us make deals that protect your future. We often get community service instead of jail time.
Using Medical Marijuana Protections
California’s medical marijuana rules are still strong tools for defense. If you have a doctor’s note, we can often beat criminal charges. Even cases with more marijuana than usually allowed can be defended on medical grounds. We use our knowledge of medical marijuana laws to build your best defense.
Common Questions About Marijuana Defense
Can old pot charges be removed from my record?
Yes, many marijuana convictions can be cleared under California law. Our attorneys help clean up your record of past pot convictions, even from before legalization. We will guide you through the legal process to reduce the impact of prior convictions on your life.
Does a medical marijuana card protect me from arrest?
A medical card helps, but doesn’t block all charges. We check if your pot use fits medical guidelines and make prosecutors prove otherwise. Our knowledge of medical marijuana laws helps us build strong defenses in these cases.
How long do marijuana cases take?
Simple possession cases might finish in weeks. More complex sales cases can take months. We work quickly while still getting the best outcome. Our attorneys keep you updated throughout your case.
What if the police search was illegal?
If police break the search rules, we file to block that evidence. When we win these motions, charges often get dismissed. Prosecutors can’t use evidence from illegal searches against you. Our defense attorneys are good at challenging illegal searches in court cases.
Will a marijuana conviction cost me my job?
Job impacts vary by workplace rules. Some employers have strict drug policies; others are more flexible with minor charges. We work to minimize career damage by fighting for reduced charges or case dismissal. Contact us today. Our defense attorneys also help you talk about criminal charges with employers.
Can I face federal charges even with legal state pot?
Yes, marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Federal prosecutors can still charge you, especially for larger operations or moving pot across state lines. Our criminal defense team stays current on federal court trends and defends clients facing both state and federal charges.
Contact Our Bay Area Marijuana Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
Each day without legal help weakens your case. Evidence gets lost, witness memories fade, and you lose time to build a strong defense. Our criminal defense attorneys are ready to fight for you now.
We provide a free consultation with expert defense attorneys to discuss your marijuana case and how our legal team can help. During this meeting, we’ll look at your situation and outline your defense options based on our proven track record of getting charges dismissed.
Our deep knowledge of drug crimes and marijuana laws gives us an edge in court. We fight hard throughout your case and build a strong defense against all marijuana-related criminal charges. Don’t risk your future by facing criminal charges alone—call Summit Defense Criminal Attorneys today.