Drug Crimes

Sacramento Drug Crimes Lawyer

Protect Your Future with Our Experienced Drug Defense Team in Sacramento

At Donato Legal Group, our Sacramento drug crimes attorney will not condemn you. You will have a compassionate representative on your side who will fight to protect your rights and your future. If you were arrested on drug charges, give us a call today to get started on planning your defense strategy.

Dial (916) 318-5997 for a free consultation with the Sacramento drug crimes lawyer at Donato Legal Group. You can also contact our firm online.

What Are California's Drug Laws?

While our state is fairly relaxed on marijuana laws, you can still be charged with a criminal offense if you are in possession of an amount over the legal limit or you are under the legal age. Other drugs will carry more serious penalties. If you were charged with one of these crimes, getting an early start on building your defense can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. The penalties of a conviction could include jail time, fines, and having a criminal record.

We may be able to help you through strategies such as:

  • Necessity: You require the drugs in possession for your health. They may have been prescribed by a doctor.
  • Not the illegal substance of which you have been accused: If a substance looks like an illegal drug, police may have you arrested without first verifying that it was in fact illegal. Donato Legal Group can order a lab test to prove that you were not in possession of anything dangerous.
  • Unlawful search and seizure: Many of our clients were arrested without being given the proper due process. It is illegal for police to search you without probably cause, so even if you were in possession of illegal substances, their case may be thrown out if we can prove they obtained evidence unlawfully.

Penalties for Cocaine Possession in California

One of the most common drug crimes in California is possession of cocaine. While the penalties can change if it is determined the drugs were meant for sale, possession of cocaine can include jail time of:

  • Up to 1-year (Misdemeanor)
  • Up to 3-years (Felony - if the accused has prior convictions)

Contact Us for Legal Support

We understand that your situation can feel hopeless. Donato Legal Group is here to help you fight for your rights and your freedom. Being charged with a crime doesn’t make you a bad person, but prosecutors often do what they can to paint you as a villain. According to the legal system, you are innocent until proven guilty. You have rights. Let our Sacramento drug crimes attorney help you stand strong in support of your future.

During your free consultation, we can help you better understand your situation and learn about how to proceed with your case. With the right preparation and careful planning, we may be able to help you avoid the devastating consequences of a conviction. Our attorney, Alan Donato can review the charges and evidence against you to check for errors or other potential advantages that could help your case. You are not alone. Our team is ready to stand with you.

Call (916) 318-5997 now and schedule your FREE consultation with a Sacramento drug crimes lawyer.

Recent Case Results

We Prepare Every Case as if it's Going to Trial

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • Case Dismissed DUI

    Our cient's DUI was dismissed after we obtained the officer's in car camera video which revealed the officer had fabricated major portions of the report.  Thanks in part to Mr. Donato's discoveries, the officer in this case was arrested and eventually plead guilty to numerous counts of perjury and obstruction of justice.  The officer was ultimately sentenced to prison.

  • Case Dismissed Battery Charged

    With a client facing charges for spousal battery, a serious offense that would have cost him his job, Mr. Donato effectively negotiated with the DA, resulting in a full dismissal in return for 12 anger management classes.

  • Dismissed Felony child abuse

    Private Retained Counsel in Sacramento County; client was charged with felony child abuse and the DA offered prison time for plea bargan, Mr. Donato obtained the opinion of a child abuse expert and was able to get the DA to dismiss the case in the interest of justice.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale

    Our client was one of several defendants charged with possession of methamphetamine for sale. The defendants were found at an alleged "crack-house" surrounded by various illegal narcotics, and even firearms. After threatening to go to trial, Mr. Donato had the entire case against our client dismissed by day two in court.

  • Case Dismissed Robbery

    Client was facing robbery charges and our investigation showed the witness was not likely to show up for trial. We pushed to get this case before a jury, and when the prosecution was unable to produce evidence against our client the case was dismissed.

  • Case Dismissed Possession of Marijuana for Sale

    Our client was facing felony charges of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.  After successfully having the case dismissed, Mr. Donato also negotiated with the District Attorney to return the $20,000 in cash that was seized from our client.

  • Case Dismissed Assault with a Deadly Weapon

    After an intense road rage incident, our client was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly ramming another car with her own. After diligent investigation and negotiations with the Prosecutors in this case, Mr. Donato persuaded the government to dismiss the case in its entirety.

  • Not Guilty Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale

    With a client facing charges for possession of methamphetamine for sale in addition to firearm enhancements, even the judge questioned Mr. Donato as to why he was taking the case to trial. In the end, however, the jury had very few questions to ask, as it took them less than an hour to return their not guilty verdicts for Mr. Donato's client.

  • Not Guilty Attempted Murder

    Client was charged with several felonies including attempted murder and was acquitted of this charge by means of self-defense.

  • Penalty Reduced Felony DUI

    Client had previously been to prison for multiple DUI’s and was arrested again for DUI. We got client into treatment and persuaded the court (over the prosecutor’s objection) to sentence him to rehab instead of prison. Mr. Gerber is now a successful (and sober) project manager in the Bay Area.

  • Acquitted of ALL charges (Trial) Felony Sexual Assault of a Minor

    Client was a group home employee and was accused by one of the (minor) group home residents of sexual misconduct. Our office successfully showed the complaining witness was lying about the allegations, and the jury unanimously acquitted Ms. Roberts of all charges after deliberating for only a few hours.

  • Case Dismissed Battery Charge

    This battery case was ultimately dismissed after our office conducted investigation and found independent witnesses who stated that the victim lied to police and actually started the fight.  The DA agreed to dismiss the case and Ms. August was able to maintain her clean record.

  • Dismissed 1st Degree Murder

    Appointed Indigent Defense Counsel in San Joaquin County; Client was charged with 1st Degree Murder looking at 75 years to Life in prison: upon case discovery review, Mr. Donato was able to present evidence to the DA and get the entire case dismissed in the interest of justice.

  • Case Dismissed Felony Charge

    Getting this felony case dismissed at preliminary hearing was a fight. But by effectively cross examining the arresting officer and showing that our client was not an accomplice to the alleged crime, Mr. Donato succeeded in getting this dismissal.  Our client came into the preliminary hearing facing felony charges of conspiracy and battery with great bodily injury, and he walked out a free man with an untarnished record.

  • Case Dismissed Domestic Violence

    Client was arrested for domestic violence after boyfriend called the police and lied about a fight he in fact started. We showed the prosecution our client’s medical records documenting her significant injuries in contrast to her boyfriend’s minor injuries and the prosecution dismissed against our client to pursue charges against her boyfriend.

  • Case Dismissed Possessing Marijuana for Sale

    Even before trial, our office had this case dismissed by presenting evidence that our client, who faced felony charges of possessing marijuana for sale, qualified as a legal caregiver and was protected from prosecution under the California medical marijuana laws.

  • Case Dismissed Assault with a Deadly Weapon

    Dismissed Client was charged with brandishing a firearm when he had a confrontation with his daughter’s boyfriend in his own home. We effectively fought to get this case dismissed on the eve of trial.

  • Case Dismissed Drug Charge

    Our client's drug case was dismissed after Mr. Donato proved to a judge that the officer's only basis for conducting a probation search in this case was for harassment purposes in violation of his client's 4th Amendment Rights.

  • Suspension Waived DMV Administrative Per Se Hearing

    At this DMV Administrative Per Se hearing, Mr. Donato argued that the Campus Police Officers did not have lawful authority to conduct a traffic stop away from campus. The Hearing Officer agreed and set aside our client's Campus license suspension.

  • Dismissed Embezzlement

    Client was a military veteran that was accused of embezzlement from his employer. Mr. Donato was able to get the employer and DA to drop all charges and dismissed the case.