New York City is the largest, most heavily populated city in the nation. The state is similarly massive in size and population, and as a major metro center it is only natural that crimes will occur. If you find yourself facing drug charges in New York, there are a lot of things you’ll need to keep in mind. These charges can be very serious and lead to heavy jail sentences and fines, and as a result it’s a must that you know all you can about them.
New York has some of the strictest drug laws in the nation, and even marijuana – beginning to become decriminalized in other parts of the nation – is still treated with severe penalties and punishments. Not all drug charges are treated the same, and different types of charges will come with different potential penalties. Here’s a look at a few of the more common drug charges.
- Simple Possession – This is by far the most common type of drug charge. Simple possession is just what it sounds like – possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. Possession could mean on your person, in your vehicle, or in your home, but it all comes down to having possession of the drug. Penalties are usually small, especially for first offenses, but depending on the situation could reach several years in prison.
- Possession With Intent To Distribute – This is a more serious charge that implies the person charged was found with larger amounts of drugs or other evidence that suggests they were planning on distributing or selling the drugs in question. It comes with harsher penalties including longer jail sentences, fines, and more.
- Drug Trafficking – Trafficking is often a federal offense, and transporting drugs across state lines means that you could be facing the harshest penalties possible. As much as 20 years in prison could be possible, and fines can be incredibly large as well.
There’s no question that drug charges are serious. In addition to the penalties mentioned above, a conviction means that you’ll have a criminal record that will influence your life throughout your future. It’s important that you take these charges seriously and find legal representation to help defend you from them.
We can help. Contact our law offices today to set up a consultation and learn more about what steps are available to you and how we might be able to help defend you from the charges you’re currently facing.