Drug Manufacturing Attorney in Pasadena

Over 80 Jury Trials. Aggressive Drug Manufacturing Defense Statewide.

A drug manufacturing charge under California Health and Safety Code section 11379.6 is a serious felony. The Los Angeles County District Attorney pursues these cases aggressively, and a conviction carries prison time, steep fines, and collateral consequences that follow a person long after release. At Escovar Law, APC, we defend clients in Pasadena facing these charges, drawing on decades of courtroom experience built from the ground up as a Deputy Public Defender in San Diego and Los Angeles before founding attorney Steve Escovar established private practice in Pasadena in 1998.

Since 1994, our firm has handled hundreds of criminal defense cases across California and taken more than 80 jury trials to verdict. That trial record shapes how we approach every case, including those where going to court is ultimately the right move.

If you or someone you know is facing a drug manufacturing charge in California, contact us nowfor a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 at (626) 577-7700.

What Constitutes Drug Manufacturing Under California Law

Health and Safety Code section 11379.6 makes it a felony to compound, convert, manufacture, derive, process, or prepare any controlled substance listed under HS sections 11054 through 11058, whether through chemical extraction or chemical synthesis. Substances commonly associated with manufacturing charges include methamphetamine, PCP, MDMA, crack cocaine, LSD, and heroin.

One important statutory detail: the manufacturing process must have actually begun. Assembling precursor chemicals alone may not satisfy the threshold, though possession of certain precursor chemicals can trigger separate charges. The law also reaches beyond the primary manufacturer. Anyone who offers to assist or actively participates in the production process can face the same charge.

Penalties & Sentencing Enhancements Under HS 11379.6

A base conviction under HS 11379.6 carries three, five, or seven years in California state prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Sentencing enhancements can push those numbers significantly higher:

• Child present: An additional two consecutive years if a minor under 16 was present in the manufacturing location
• Child injured: Five additional years if a minor under 16 was seriously injured as a result
• Other injuries or deaths: One additional consecutive year per person harmed during manufacturing
• Quantity enhancements: Three extra years for more than three liters of liquid or one pound of solid; five extra years for more than 10 gallons or three pounds; up to 15 additional years for larger quantities
• Prior convictions: Three additional years per prior drug-related conviction

If the operation involves interstate commerce or federal controlled substance statutes, federal charges may be added on top of state prosecution. Beyond imprisonment, a felony conviction under HS 11379.6 can affect immigration status, professional licenses, and the right to own firearms.

Defense Strategies in California Drug Manufacturing Cases

Every case is different, but several defenses come up with frequency in manufacturing matters. One of the most significant is a Fourth Amendment challenge. If police conducted an unlawful search or seizure to obtain evidence, a motion to suppress under Penal Code 1538.5 can exclude that evidence entirely. When the prosecution is left without usable physical evidence, charges may be dismissed. We review every stop, detention, and search for constitutional validity.

Steve Escovar’s background in both San Diego and Los Angeles County courts gives our firm direct insight into how the Los Angeles County DA constructs manufacturing cases and where vulnerabilities tend to appear.

Other defenses we evaluate include:

• Process never initiated: The prosecution must prove manufacturing actually began; if it didn’t, that element fails
• Lack of knowledge or participation: Being present near a manufacturing location doesn’t automatically establish guilt
• Entrapment: Where law enforcement induced a person to commit an offense they wouldn’t otherwise have committed
• Coercion or duress: Applicable where a defendant was threatened into participating
• Miranda and custodial interrogation violations: Statements obtained in violation of Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights may be suppressed
• Chain-of-custody errors: Mishandling of drug evidence can render it inadmissible
• Pre-trial diversion or alternative sentencing: In limited circumstances, programs such as Proposition 36 may be available depending on the specific charges

Why California Clients Work with Escovar Law, APC

Steve Escovar graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law in 1994 and has been licensed for over 30 years. More than 80 jury trials taken to verdict over a career that began in the public defender’s office means our approach to drug crimes defense in California is grounded in real courtroom experience, not theory.

Credentials & Recognition

Steve Escovar has been recognized among the “Nation’s Top One Percent” of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb rating, and has served as President of the Criminal Courts Bar Association in Los Angeles. He is admitted to the California Bar, the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the California Federal Southern, Central, and Eastern Districts, which matters when manufacturing cases can escalate to federal prosecution.

Client-Focused Representation

We offer flexible payment plans for criminal defense matters, and Steve Escovar provides legal services in both English and Spanish. Past clients have shared positive reviews on Yelp, Avvo, and Google.

Speak with a Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorney Today

A free consultation gives you the chance to understand what you’re facing and what options may be available. We’re available 24/7 and serve clients throughout the Pasadena and Los Angeles County area in English and Spanish.

Call Escovar Law, APC now at (626) 577-7700 to schedule your free consultation with a drug manufacturing attorney in Pasadena.