L.A. County DA to Dismiss 66,000 Marijuana Convictions

The dismissals will include 62,000 felony and 4,000 misdemeanor convictions.

L.A. County DA to Dismiss 66,000 Marijuana Convictions

After California legalized the use of recreational marijuana through Proposition 64, a new question arose: what about all of the people who were convicted under the old drug laws? In part, the answer came through a law that would allow individuals convicted under the old laws to have their cases expunged if these crimes no longer existed under the process known as realignment. Yet expungement takes both money and time, leaving many Californians unable to take advantage of these criminal justice reforms.

In February, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey took a stand for equality when she announced that her office had dismissed 66,000 marijuana convictions in Los Angeles County. This number includes 62,000 felony convictions and 4,000 misdemeanor convictions. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta signed an order dismissing these convictions after Lacey filed a motion asking the judge to do so.

According to a drug defense lawyer Los Angeles County, CA, this means that 15,00 people no longer have criminal records — and another 22,000 people no longer have felony criminal records.

The dismissals fell into two categories:

  • Crimes that no longer exist under California law
  • Felony convictions for cultivating, transporting or selling marijuana for people who are over 50 or under 21, who haven’t had a felony conviction in the past 10 years, and had completed probation for their marijuana-related convictions

The District Attorney’s office was assisted by Code for America in determining which convictions should be dismissed. This nonprofit organization used a computer algorithm to analyze county data to figure out which cases could be legalized under Prop 64. This was done in accordance with a state law that required California prosecutors to figure out which marijuana convictions were eligible for dismissal. Lacey then decided to dismiss additional cases, as described above.

Dismissing marijuana convictions is a way to help ensure that people who had convictions under old laws are no longer burdened by their criminal history. While this wave of dismissals will help tens of thousands of people, it still leaves thousands of marijuana convictions standing. If you have a conviction for a marijuana-related offense, a drug defense lawyer Los Angeles County, CA can help you determine if your case is eligible for dismissal or expungement.

An attorney can also work with you to help you avoid a conviction if you have been charged with a drug-related offense. These cases often involve elements such as illegal search and seizure. A skilled drug defense lawyer Los Angeles County, CA can investigate the facts of your case and research California law to put together a strong factual and legal defense to the charges against you. This may result in a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

The Chambers Law Firm is dedicated to representing Californians who have been charged with a range of crimes, including drug-related offenses. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our team.

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