A day watch police officer was patrolling the area of S. State College and E. Orangethorpe when she conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, according to the Fullerton Police Department.
The stop led to the arrest of a male with an outstanding warrant and ultimately resulted in two adults being taken into custody.
Both were booked on multiple misdemeanor and felony drug-related charges.
Potential Felony Penalties
Felony charges are typically reserved for possession with intent to sell, transportation, or manufacturing of controlled substances.
- Possession for Sale (HS 11351/11378): Conviction for possessing narcotics like cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine with intent to sell generally carries 2, 3, or 4 years in county jail or state prison.
- Transportation or Sales (HS 11352): Selling or transporting controlled substances is a more serious felony, punishable by 3, 4, 5, 6, or 9 years in prison, depending on the quantity and whether the drugs were moved across non-contiguous counties.
- Aggravated Factors: If the suspects were in possession of a firearm or if the offense occurred near a school, they could face significant “enhancements” adding several years to their base sentence.
- McCready Law Group +4
Potential Misdemeanor Penalties
Misdemeanor charges often apply to simple possession for personal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Simple Possession (HS 11350/11377): Under Proposition 47, most personal-use possession is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- Drug Paraphernalia: Possession of items like pipes or needles is a misdemeanor that can lead to up to 6 months in jail and a fine.
- California Legislative Information (.gov) +2
Additional Consequences
- Outstanding Warrants: The male suspect with an outstanding warrant faces immediate detention and potential additional sentencing for the original charge that triggered the warrant.
- Drug Diversion: First-time offenders may be eligible for programs like Penal Code 1000, which allows them to complete drug treatment in exchange for having the charges dismissed.
- Collateral Penalties: A felony conviction can result in a permanent criminal record, loss of firearm rights, and negative impacts on future employment or housing.
Activists are Trying to Ban Police Traffic Stops in California
While there is no statewide ban on all traffic stops in California, several activist groups, city leaders, and state lawmakers are actively working to limit or end specific types of stops, particularly “pretextual” stops. These efforts focus on reducing interactions for minor, non-safety issues like expired registration or broken taillights to address racial disparities and improve community trust…