The biggest determining factor for whether a charge will be filed as a misdemeanor or felony is quantity and how the drugs are packaged. If a defendant has a personal use amount of a narcotic, that will typically be charged with simple possession, a misdemeanor in California. However, if they have that same amount but it’s broken into multiple packages or has other indicators of sales like extra baggies, scales, or along with the drugs the person is carrying a large number of small bills, it could be classified as a felony for possession for sales. Additionally, anyone who is a registered sex offender will be charged with a felony, regardless of the amount or type of packaging.