Our Westminster drug possession criminal defense lawyers were interested to see a high-profile drug arrest that seems to have ended well for the defendant. Alexis Neiers, the Los Angeles teenager who became infamous for her part in a ring of celebrity break-ins and then as the star of a reality show, was sentenced to rehabilitation Dec. 9 after she was caught in possession of black tar heroin. Neiers was already on probation for first-degree burglary of Orlando Bloom's home. The heroin was found after probation officers searched her home, which they did because she hadn't reported in with probation officers for two months. She will spend a year at a live-in drug treatment program.
Neiers, now 19, originally became famous as part of a "bling ring" of teenagers who broke into famous people's homes and stole high-cost items. She pleaded no contest to residential burglary and was given six months in jail, of which she served 29 days, and three years of probation. Probation officers searched her family's Thousand Oaks home after Neiers didn't check in with offers as required for two months and didn't make court-ordered restitution payments for three months. In addition to the heroin, officers found a fake Florida driver's license and burnt foil, consistent with heroin use. Her criminal defense attorney successfully argued for drug treatment rather than prison, but the judge said he'd send her to prison if she committed another heroin offense. Ventura County authorities have the option of prosecuting Neiers separately for drug possession.
Naturally, this case is getting widespread coverage because Neiers is a pop culture figure. But as Corona drug possession criminal defense attorneys, we would work for an outcome like this for any defendant accused of simple drug possession. Drug possession is a victimless crime, so it doesn't really protect the public to throw people in prison on that basis alone. On top of this, some drugs -- especially including heroin -- are very physically addictive, meaning their users actually can't do much to get off them. In this kind of situation, rehab is better for everyone involved than prison. If Neiers is an addict, she won't enjoy rehab, but addressing her addiction will likely also address her behavior problems. By contrast, adult prison would likely be a "criminal finishing school" where she may still have access to heroin.
If you're accused of any type of drug crime, you should call Howard Law, P.C. right away. Even here in California, drug crimes are often penalized more harshly than one might reasonably expect for victimless crimes. Furthermore, some law enforcement officers have such a negative view of drug defendants that they rush to arrest and prosecute without considering evidence or the defendant's civil rights. Our Vista drug possession criminal defense lawyers have ample ways to defend drug cases, including defenses based on violations of the client's civil rights, bad assumptions and other basic failures by law enforcement. We can also argue for Drug Court, or drug diversion programs, for nonviolent offenders willing to plead no contest and complete the drug testing and probation requirements.
Howard Law, P.C. offers free, confidential case evaluations, so you can tell us about your case and learn about your legal options at no risk. To set up a meeting, call us at 1-800-872-5925 or send us an email today.
