Getting caught selling drugs in Southern California will land you in some very hot water, but it gets even more serious when you sell to minors, or even use children to sell drugs. Depending on the type of drugs you are selling, the consequences are even worse.
What you need to defend yourself against drug charges
Unfortunately, it is not a defense to argue that you didn’t know that the person you were selling to was just a minor. And if you were using the minor to help you sell drugs, it doesn’t matter whether you paid them or not.
If you or a loved one has been accused of selling or offering drugs to minors, or of using kids to help sell or transport illegal drugs, what you need to do is contact an experienced drug crimes defense lawyer as soon as possible! Contact the Chambers Law Firm today. Dan E. Chambers will listen to your side of the story, answer your questions, and help you create a strong defense for your Southern California drug case.
Penalties for selling drugs to minors in Southern CA
Selling, transporting, or providing drugs, or offering to do those things is a felony in California. For most types of drugs, the basic sentence is from three to nine years in state prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
If you’re caught selling to minors (anyone under the age of 18), or using minors to sell, transport, or help you distribute drugs, you are guilty of a separate offense of up to nine years in state prison. If you were selling certain drugs, like heroin and cocaine, you could get two more years on top of that. In addition, you could serve an extra two years if you were selling at or within 1000 feet of a school, playground, youth center, or place of worship when children were there. You will also face additional prison time of up to three more years if the child you sold to was under 14. And of course, if you have prior convictions, you’re also likely to get a more severe sentence.
Selling marijuana and meth to minors
Marijuana is treated differently from other drugs in California. Even though some sales are legal, an illegal sale is a felony and could land you in prison from between 16 months to three years. Transporting marijuana into California is usually punishable with up to four years in prison. But if you involve minors, the sentence could be up to seven years. Even just giving away marijuana to a minor could mean five years in prison—seven years if the minor was under 14!
Meth sales also are typically punishable with prison from 16 months to three years, but it could be up to nine years if you sell to a minor.
Do you have questions about your Southern California drug case?
If you’ve been arrested for selling drugs to minors, or using kids to sell drugs, get Southern California’s top drug crimes defense attorney, Dan E. Chambers, on your side! Contact the Chambers Law Firm today by calling 714-760-4088, emailing dchambers@clfca.com, or sending a message via the Chat box at the bottom right of this page.
