New York Drug Crimes Lawyer

Serving Clients Charged with Drug-Related Offenses in Greater New York City

Drug-related crimes are among the more common charges heard in the courts in and around New York City. These consist of various types of unlawful activities relating to controlled substances which include both legal drugs such as prescribed painkillers and illegal drugs such as cocaine. When legal drugs are found in your possession without an authorized prescription, you can be facing a criminal charge just as if you were found with cocaine. Either way, you are facing a wide range of criminal penalties, from incarceration to probation, mandatory participation in drug treatment programs and heavy fines. Drug crime convictions also lead to a permanent criminal record that can lead to lost job, career, educational, and other opportunities. These convictions will also affect your ability to receive federal aid such as school loans.

It is essential to involve an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your drug case as early as possible, even if you have not been charged but believe you are being investigated by law enforcement. As a New York drug crimes attorney, I can step in to ensure that your legal rights are fully protected and that you receive fair treatment from law enforcement and the courts. With over a decade of experience handling all kinds of drug charges from simple possession to multi-faceted and complex charges regarding the sale of drugs, I have the insight, legal tools, and skills to help you reach the best result possible.

Facing drug charges or being investigated? Contact the Law Office of Tara Whelan at (516) 647-4828 for a free case review. Available 24/7 to take your calls.

Drug Crimes in New York

Drug crimes is the umbrella term for being found in possession of, distributing, selling, transporting, manufacturing, or trafficking in “controlled substances.” Controlled substances are categorized into five “schedules” in New York, listing the most addictive and dangerous as Schedule 1 down to the least harmful as Schedule V. Thus, how you are charged in any drug crime will depend on the Schedule of the drug involved, whether it was meant for your own personal use or for sale, the quantity found in your possession, and other relevant facts.

Examples of controlled substances include:

• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Methamphetamine
• Fentanyl
• Vicodin
• Oxycontin
• Ambien
• Adderall

The state of New York has some of the harshest drug laws in comparison to other areas across the country. Many drug crimes involving controlled substances in New York are charged as felonies carrying significant fines and incarceration. In order to be convicted, however, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance found in your possession was a controlled substance, that you actually possessed it, that you “knowingly” possessed it, and that the possession was unlawful. Possession can mean that you physically possessed it, such as on your person, or that you had “constructive” possession, meaning that you had control over the drug, such as having it in your car, home, office, or a locker, for example.

Drug Conviction Penalties

Drug crime convictions can lead to drastically different penalties depending on the drugs involved and the nature of the charges. For example, a first-offense simple possession of marijuana for one’s own personal use is a citation carrying a $100 fine while possession of even a small amount of cocaine can land you in jail for a few months or even years, along with fines that can range into the thousands.

Call on the Law Office of Tara Whelan for Tenacious Representation

As in any criminal case, valid defenses exist that can be explored and used to fight New York drug charges. I can thoroughly examine all of the government’s evidence being used against you in search of flaws and inconsistencies that will work in your favor. The importance of experienced and aggressive legal representation cannot be overstated when it comes to fighting these types of charges. You can be assured that I will work tirelessly to give you the high-quality legal defense you need and deserve.

Schedule your free case evaluation with me by calling (516) 647-4828 today.