Felony Possession and Transportation of Cocaine by DACA Individual: Case Reduced to Misdemeanor Possession

A Griffin Law Office client was parked at Southwest College without a parking permit. SWCPD approached the client. Further inspection led to the discovery of multiple controlled substances and drug paraphernalia for the distribution of those controlled substances.

The client was arrested for allegedly violating:

• Health and Safety Code § 11352(a) – Transportation of a Controlled Substance
• Health and Safety Code § 11351 – Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance

The client admitted fault right away and explained that he has DACA, which meant that he was under the Federal Immigration Policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The client had no prior arrests and was not linked to any previous criminal activity or gang activity.

The Griffin Law Office was able to convince the DA to disregard the intent to distribute felony charges, and the client’s charges were subsequently reduced to one count of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance with no influence on the client’s DACA status, which meant no deportation or immigration issues for Client.