Fri. Oct 10th, 2025

Yesterday morning, Orange County Sheriff deputies arrested a husband and wife duo who took “for better or for worse” quite literally, according to Rancho Margarita Police Services.

After being pulled over for a minor traffic violation, deputies discovered the pair both had prior drug convictions, and were in possession of narcotics and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

The incident resulted in a fresh set of charges for the happy couple.

Based on typical California law and the nature of the arrest involving narcotics and drug paraphernalia, the husband and wife arrested by Orange County Sheriff deputies in Rancho Santa Margarita may face the following penalties:

  • Possession of Controlled Substances (Health & Safety Code §11350)
    • Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000
    • Felony (if prior convictions or aggravating factors): 16 months to 3 years in state prison
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Health & Safety Code §11364)
    • Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000
  • Enhancements for Prior Convictions
    • Prior drug convictions can lead to harsher sentencing, including mandatory jail time or denial of diversion programs.
  • Probation Violations
    • If either individual was on probation, they could face revocation and additional jail time.
  • Vehicle-Related Charges
    • If narcotics were found during a traffic stop, they may also face charges related to transportation of drugs, which can be a felony with up to 5 years in prison.
  • Diversion Programs
    • First-time or non-violent offenders may be eligible for drug diversion programs under Proposition 36 or PC §1000, which can lead to dismissal of charges upon successful completion.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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