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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Felony Marijuana Charges

    Dismissed Client was charged with multiple felony marijuana related charges. Our investigation showed that client was not involved in the operation although she was present during execution of the search warrant. The case was dismissed as to our client, whereas the co-defendants were convicted.

  • Reduced to a misdemeanor Charged with felony sexual battery

    Appointed Indigent Defense Counsel in San Joaquin County; the client was charged with felony sexual battery and looking at his third strike and 25 years to Life in prison; upon body worn camera review, Mr. Donato was able to present evidence to the DA and had the case reduced to a misdemeanor and the client was released from jail custody that day.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Not Guilty Gang Enhancement

    Our office was proud to defeat the gang enhancement charge at trial for our client, who was charged with possessing a firearm for the benefit of a gang.  Defeating the gang enhancement was the sole reason for going to trial, and it saved our client from gaining a second strike conviction, not to mention significant prison time.

  • 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.

  • Not Guilty Illegal Discharge of a Firearm

    Client was charged with multiple felony assaults and unlawful discharge of a firearm with gang enhancements and looking at life in prison. Mr. Donato was able to get a full acquittal.

  • 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.

  • Not Guilty Sexual Assault

    With a client facing life in prison on sexual assault charges, our office decided to take this case to trial. After fighting to expose the holes in the Prosecution's case, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts.  Our client was released from custody the same day.

  • 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.

  • Penalty Reduced Domestic Violence with Great Bodily Injury

    People v. Carter Reduced (Probation) Client was a professional athlete and broke his girlfriend’s elbow during a domestic incident. Original offer was five years in prison. Our investigation showed the conflicts and changes in the victim’s story, and we effectively negotiated the case down to house arrest and probation.

  • Case Dismissed Vehicle Theft and Evading Law Enforcement

    With our client charged with felony vehicle theft and evading law enforcement, Mr. Donato sought out the necessary investigation to show that his client was actually not the driver of the vehicle. The DA dismissed all charges.

  • 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.

  • Not Guilty Felony Domestic Violence

    Our client faced charges for felony domestic violence and misdemeanor child abuse.  Mr. Donato showed the jury at trial that Mr. Hillman's spiteful ex-girlfriend had lied about the facts.  Mr. Hillman walked into trial facing 10 years in prison, but he walked out a free man.

  • 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.

  • 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.