In 2025, California made one of the biggest changes to drug laws in years. The target? People with more than one drug-related charge. The new law doesn’t just slap on another misdemeanor. It turns what used to be simple possession or petty theft into felonies. In Riverside drug crime cases, this change hits hard. Prosecutors now have the green light to file felony charges against people who’ve been caught before. The message is clear. If it’s not your first time, the system will come down harder.
How Did We Get Here?
Think back to the Three Strikes Law from the 1990s. One mistake could follow you for life. This new law feels like a revival of that time. It’s aimed at what lawmakers call “career criminals.” But it doesn’t always play out that way. Many of the people facing charges today struggle with addiction. They aren’t hardened criminals. They are people who got caught up in something they couldn’t control. But now, two or more past charges can change everything. A simple act like having a small amount of fentanyl or meth in your pocket could now put someone behind bars for years.
What the 2025 Law Actually Says
Under the 2025 updates to Proposition 36, if someone has two prior convictions for drug possession or petty theft, the next charge could be a felony. Prosecutors are allowed to look back at your record and use it to boost the severity of your current case. The law also lets the courts combine multiple theft incidents. That means if someone is accused of shoplifting from several stores, the value of all items can be added up. If the total is more than $950, the case can go from misdemeanor to felony. And with drug charges, the penalties are now more severe if there’s even a hint of intent to sell.
What This Means in Real Life
Here’s the reality. A man in Riverside is caught with two grams of heroin. It’s his third time. He’s not selling. He’s using. He’s been in and out of court. This time, it’s different. He’s charged with a felony. If convicted, he could serve time in state prison. Not county jail. Not rehab. The court might offer a program, but it’s not guaranteed. The result? His record gets longer. Getting a job becomes harder. The cycle continues.
The System Doesn’t Always Make Room for Help
The new law says people may qualify for treatment instead of jail. But not everyone gets that chance. The programs are limited. The rules are strict. Miss a check-in or fail a drug test, and it’s back to court. Back to square one. And once the word “felon” is stamped on a record, everything changes. That label doesn’t go away.
Why This Crackdown Feels Different
Before, repeat charges felt like warnings. A slap on the wrist. Maybe a few days in jail. Maybe probation. Now, the consequences hit harder. The court isn’t just looking at the current charge. It’s digging into the past. And for those with a long record, the outcome could be years behind bars.
Don’t Let One More Charge Destroy Your Future
This law doesn’t leave room for second chances. It looks at the past and decides your future. But you still have a right to defend yourself. You still have a voice. The sooner you act, the better your chance of staying out of prison. A strong defense can expose weak evidence, challenge past convictions, or fight for treatment over jail time.
If you or someone you care about is facing drug charges in Riverside, don’t wait. Call Attorney David Wohl now at 951-384-7375. The system may treat you like a number. But we see the person behind the charge. Let us fight for your future.