Vallejo, CA asked in Criminal Law and Health Care Law for California

Q: What is the easiest and or most common grounds for having a case dismissed by the people in favor of the defendant?

Specifically a narcotics case

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2 Lawyer Answers
Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: more info needed.

every case is different.

most common is illegal search and seizure

Rhonda Mae Hixon
Rhonda Mae Hixon
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Redding, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Most drug possessions are misdemeanors, so one line of attack would be to show a DA how you will prove it was not possessed /transported for purposes of sale.

If it is a misdemeanor, setting the case for trial, without a time waiver, can result in a dismissal if DOJ doesn't have time to do a confirming test on the substance.

Challenging the search ( illegal car stop,illegal detention, no reasonable suspicion) or the warrant (no probable cause, includes misstatements, or confidential informants that need to be disclosed) can result in a dismissal by DA or judge

As an aside- many existing convictions for controlled substances can be

reduced to misdemeanors (and in the case of MJ restore rights) given changes to the laws.

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