Garden City Drug Crime Lawyers

Put 200+ Years of Experience on Your Side

If you are facing charges for a drug crime, you need the help of an experienced attorney. At Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco, LLP, our firm has the experience, skill, and knowledge to help you fight your drug crime charges. We have handled thousands of cases, and our attorneys are ready to put their experience to work for you.

Contact our Garden City drug crime attorneys today at (888) 779-0267 for a free case evaluation.

New York Drug Crime Charges

A drug crime refers to any criminal offense related to the possession, distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking of illegal drugs or controlled substances. These crimes are typically governed by state and federal laws and carry severe penalties to deter individuals from engaging in drug-related activities.

There are several types of drug crimes in New York. The type of crime you are charged with will depend on the specifics of your case.

Some of the most common drug crimes include:

• Drug Possession: This involves having illegal drugs or controlled substances for personal use without proper authorization. Possession can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount and type of drug.
• Drug Distribution or Sale: This crime involves the act of selling, distributing, or intending to distribute illegal drugs or controlled substances. The severity of the charges depends on factors such as the quantity of drugs and whether the sale occurred near a school or other designated areas.
• Drug Trafficking: Drug trafficking refers to the illegal transportation and distribution of large quantities of drugs across state lines or international borders. It is a more serious offense and carries significant penalties if convicted.
• Drug Manufacturing: This crime involves the production, cultivation, or creation of illegal drugs or controlled substances. It includes activities like operating meth labs or cultivating marijuana.
• Drug Paraphernalia: Possession or sale of drug-related paraphernalia, such as pipes, syringes, or bongs, can be charged as a separate offense in addition to drug-related charges.

Don't Face Your Charges Alone

When facing drug crime charges, individuals have the right to defend themselves in court with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. There are several common defenses that can be used to challenge drug crime allegations.

Some common defenses to drug crimes include:

• Unlawful Search and Seizure: The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. If the police conducted an illegal search or seizure without a valid warrant or probable cause, any evidence obtained during the search may be deemed inadmissible in court. This defense is often used when drugs are found during a traffic stop or a search of a person's home or property.
• Lack of Possession: Drug possession charges require the prosecution to prove that the defendant had actual or constructive possession of the illegal substance. If there is no clear evidence linking the defendant to the drugs or the drugs were found in a shared space (e.g., a roommate's apartment), a lack of possession defense may be applicable.
• Mistaken Identity: In some cases, the accused may claim that they were wrongly identified as the person involved in the drug-related activities. Providing an alibi or other evidence to show that they were not present at the scene of the crime can be a part of this defense.
• Lack of Knowledge: Some drug crimes, especially in cases of drug possession, require that the defendant knew about the presence of the drugs. If the accused can demonstrate that they were unaware of the drugs' existence or that they were unknowingly carrying or transporting the substance, it can be used as a defense.
• Valid Prescription: If the drugs in question were prescription medications, the defendant can present a valid prescription from a licensed medical professional as evidence of legal possession.
• Entrapment: Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces or coerces someone to commit a crime they would not have committed otherwise. If the defendant can prove that they were encouraged to engage in drug-related activities by law enforcement, they may have a valid entrapment defense.
• Crime Lab Analysis: The prosecution must prove that the substance in question is, indeed, an illegal drug. The defense may challenge the accuracy of crime lab analysis or argue that the substance is not a controlled substance.
• Constitutional Violations: If any of the defendant's constitutional rights were violated during the arrest or investigation process, such as Miranda rights not being read, this can be used to challenge the validity of the evidence and the case as a whole.

At our firm, we understand the seriousness of drug crimes. We know that the police, prosecutors, and judges take these cases very seriously. Our attorneys have the experience and skill to help you fight your charges.

To schedule a free consultation, contact our Garden City drug crime attorneys today at (888) 779-0267.