Marijuana Cultivation and Drug Manufacturing

San Francisco Bay Area Marijuana Cultivation Defense Attorney

The legalization of marijuana in California is an unsettled area, which varies county by county throughout the state. Additionally, state law is in conflict with federal law regarding the legalization of marijuana. Proposition 215 is the legalization statute in California, also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, this act allows patients with a valid doctor recommendation to legally possess marijuana for personal medical use. Proposition 215 also extends its protection to distribution in California. However, implementation of this act varies widely across the state. At the Law Offices of John Runfola fin San Francisco, we act immediately to protect our client's rights whether they are under investigation for drug manufacturing, have been arrested for operating a meth lab or are in custody for marijuana cultivation.

Experienced, Creative Defense Against Charges of Marijuana Cultivation & Illegal Drug Manufacturing

As your drug crime defense lawyer, Mr. Runfola works with private investigators and forensic experts in closely examining the backgrounds of arresting officers, the informants used, and the actions of law enforcement during surveillance operations and the execution of a search warrant. Our office exposes violations of our client's Constitutional rights, as well as questionable deals with informants facing criminal charges of their own.

Don't let investigators or prosecutors intimidate you into making statements that could hurt you at trial. To schedule a completely confidential consultation protected by the attorney-client privilege, contact criminal defense lawyer John Runfola today. He has over 25 years of experience defending clients charged with drug crimes.

Marijuana Cultivation: What Investigators Look for

Police and investigators often look for suspicious activity involving a home or several homes in a given area. For instance, marijuana grow lights use a great deal of electricity and certain precursor chemicals such as pseudoephedrine must be purchased to manufacture methamphetamine. Investigators may issue a warrant to review your electricity bills or review your credit card purchases.

Additionally, surveillance of a home may be undertaken in order to determine the number of cars coming and going. In each instance, however, certain rights may be violated. Incorrect conclusions may be drawn from circumstantial evidence implicating people who are innocent or only indirectly involved in cultivating marijuana or manufacturing or selling illegal drugs.

Drug Charges and the Seizure of Property

The federal government can seize any property or assets it believes were acquired with the proceeds from illegal drug activity or were used to facilitate the criminal activity.

In marijuana cultivation and drug manufacturing cases, authorities often initiate seizure proceedings in order to freeze bank accounts and impede the ability of the accused to effectively defend themselves. As a criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of experience defending clients charged with state and federal offenses, Mr. Runfola know how to fight seizure proceedings in order to prevent his clients' assets from being frozen or seized by the authorities.

Challenging the Case against You - When Informants are Used

It's not uncommon for authorities to use or rely on informants in marijuana cultivation or drug manufacturing cases. Typically, informants are people who are facing drug charges of their own and are willing to cut a deal with prosecutors in order to reduce their time in jail. As a result, informants may repeat hearsay or distort information they've heard in order for prosecutors to reduce their sentence. In the end, innocent people and those who played only a minor role in a drug manufacturing operation may be accused of a serious drug crime.

We have the Experience and Resources Needed to Aggressively Defend Against Drug Charges

As your attorney, Mr. Runfola exposes the unreliability of informant testimony. Informants convicted for violent crimes may be motivated to perform to save themselves. This may call into question the grounds for the testimony offered may informants. .Upon accepting a client, we vigorously prepare his or her case as if we going to trail and simultaneously attempt to negotiate a settlement that would be most favorable to our client.

If you're facing criminal charges for marijuana cultivation, drug manufacture, or drug distribution, defend your rights and your property - contact San Francisco criminal defense lawyer John Runfola today. Mr. Runfola understands that you do not need a lawyer who will win at all costs, you need a lawyer who will win and calculate your costs.