Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers Blog
When a person has been arrested for a Los Angeles drug offense, the City Attorney or District Attorney will determine whether the case will be filed as a misdemeanor or felony. The level of the offense depends on the specific facts of the case and the criminal history of the person being charged.
In certain situations, the crime will be charged as a Federal offense, and will be dealt with by Federal courts. A charge will become Federal when it involves a significant amount of drugs, involves inter state travel or took place on Federal land, state park or aboard a plane.
For example, David puts 40 pounds of marijuana in his car and drives from California to Colorado. He will be charged under Federal law. Similarly, if David was growing marijuana in a neighboring state park, he will be charged under Federal law.