Drugs

Attorney Anthony Arzili specialized in all cases involving drugs. He has handled hundreds of Drug Related Offenses in Downey Courts with outstanding results.
Drug Cases customarily fall into three categories:

  • Drug Possession for Personal Use;
  • Under the Influence of a Drug; or
  • Possession of Drugs for Sale, Transportation or Manufacturing

The first two categories are normally misdemeanors that carry one year in the county jail and probation. A charge of “under the influence” carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days in the county jail.

“Possession for Personal Use” cases normally vary in seriousness based upon the amount of drugs found and the type of drugs found. Obviously, the higher the quantity of drugs found the more serious the case. Also, some drugs such as cocaine and heroin usually signal a more serious case than marijuana.

Cases that involve large quantities of drugs and are alleging that the drugs were for sale are usually felonies that can expose you to State Prison Sentence.
Some of the factors that Judges and Prosecutors use to gauge whether the drugs found were for personal use or for sale are:

  • Quantity of drugs
  • Packaging of drugs; many similar sized packages or one package
  • Empty packaging materials
  • Scales or measuring devices
  • large amount of cash/small denominations
  • presence/absence of personal use paraphernalia
  • pay/owe sheets
  • pagers/ cell phones


If you are looking to hire a top Defense Attorney for your Drug case, focus on three things.

First, your best shot at getting your drug case dismissed is to challenge the search or seizure of the drugs. This is done through a formal motion to dismiss due to a search that is in violation of your 4th amendment rights. With that said, you need an attorney that knows this area like the back of his hand so that he can spot the issues and attack them with a suppression motion. Attorney Anthony Arzili has handled numerous drug cases and is able to analyze the police’s actions thoroughly and find any discrepancies.

Secondly, you need an attorney that knows numerous classes and rehabilitation courses available in lieu of jail or prison time. Attorney Anthony Arzili has extensive knowledge with every possible program and class available and will present those options to the judge when they are considering Jail Time.

Finally, there is an old saying that goes centuries back that goes like this. A good lawyer knows the law, but a great lawyer knows the Judge. Today, knowing your court and the prosecutors is as important as knowing the law in your case. Ideally, you want to choose an attorney that has practiced in front of those people that will make serious decisions on your case. Familiarity with the court and the people will undoubtedly put you in a much more favorable situation. Attorney Anthony Arzili separates himself from other attorneys in two important ways. He only handles criminal defense, unlike others that handle whatever pays the bills. Secondly, he limits his practice to Downey Cases only. Some attorneys may call themselves Downey criminal defense attorneys, but they will follow the money to Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino, etc. in essence minimizing any relationship they may have with Downey court personnel.

For a free case evaluation, please contact us at (562) 907-4448