New York Drug Crimes And Legal Defense Strategies

Jan. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- If you’ve been charged in New York with a major drug offense, you’ll want to speak to a New York criminal lawyer immediately to begin preparing your defense. The end result of being convicted for a felony drug offense can affect you for the rest of your life. Not only are you confronted with possible jail time, and fines, but you will also carry with you a criminal history that can prevent you from obtaining a good job, renting a home, and more. If you’re incarcerated, you might lose your family, your marriage, your job, and your home.

Experienced Criminal Defense Representation

Remember that experience matters when you are selecting a New York criminal attorney who is going to help fight any criminal drug charges that you are facing. It doesn’t matter if you are facing New York State felony criminal drug charges or federal charges, as with international drug trafficking. The laws that govern drug crimes are complex and are best left with a criminal lawyer that has dealt with these types of offenses in the past.

The most common drug charges include:

• The cultivation of a controlled substance

• Distributing illegal drugs

• Being involved in drug trafficking

• Operating a meth lab

• Possession of drugs

• Sale or distribution of a controlled substance

• Caught in trafficking of any controlled substance

• Transportation of a controlled substance

Should you be found guilty of a New York criminal offense that is drug related, it is possible to end up with a long prison sentence. This will happen even if it is your first offense. If you have committed a drug offense within particular proximity to a playground or school the penalties and sentencing can be enhanced. If you’re a resident alien, your felony drug charge can bring about you being deported. When you are a parent, being charged because of a drug crime may cause social services to take away your sons or daughters out of your care.

What You Should Do When Arrested For a Drug Crime

It is usually frightening to be investigated for a drug crime, and even scarier to get arrested on drug related charges. But everything you do and say throughout the investigation and when being interrogated by prosecutors and investigators can dramatically affect the results of your case. It is crucial that you make sure you stay relaxed when you’re facing a drug charge. Don’t consent to the search of your property or vehicle, even if it will make you look like you are hiding something. Do not ever resist arrest since this will simply make everything worse when your bond is being set. Above all else, never supply a statement to anyone, including the police, until you’ve gotten the opportunity to consult with your criminal attorney. It’s important that your chosen attorney is present for all phases of the criminal process, including questioning, so your best interests can be represented and to be sure that none of your rights are being violated.

It is very important to remember that not all offenders faced with a drug related crime become incarcerated for the offense. Your Long Island criminal lawyer will evaluate your own personal situation and what happened within your offense and can prepare a defense strategy that can allow you to qualify for diversion programs which could stop you from serving time in jail, including drug abuse programs, deferred entry of judgment, and approved treatment programs. Frequently, the completion of your drug rehab program can remove the notation of the drug charge from a permanent record. In addition, the courts often offer options to jail like electronic home monitoring, work release, work furlough, private or paid jail, and sober living situations.

You need to get in contact with your criminal lawyer to go over your case immediately following your arrest. If you delay in seeking legal counsel and discussing your case, it can have a very detrimental influence on the way your case turns out. Visit http://www.criminaljusticeny.com or call 877-703-2000 for immediate assistance.

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Have you or someone you know been charged with any drug related crime?

Drug charges cover a broad range of offenses, from the less severe, like simple possession of a small amount of certain drugs, to the more serious, such as participation in an ongoing drug-related criminal enterprise or manufacturing and distributing drugs. Even minor charges can be terrifying and carry the risk of serious penalties upon conviction; the more serious charges, of course, can give rise to even considerably worse consequences. Many times drug related charges arise from drug addiction. Drug addiction can happen to anyone and to people that don’t necessarily deserve what the consequences may be. At Ketover & Associates, LLC, their attorneys align themselves with professionals who can help the addict get on a path to recovery, while simultaneously handling the criminal charges.