Arrested on drug possession charges in New York of a controlled substance, cocaine possession, marijuana possession, another drug crime or offense? Contact us now for a free consult.
Each state and the federal government have laws against the unlawful use, manufacture, and distribution of drugs.
State and Federal Drug and Narcotics Offenses
If you are arrested for a drug or narcotics crime, there are two factors that can determine the seriousness of controlled substance cases and drug offense cases and whether they will be investigated and prosecuted by state or federal law enforcement drug and narcotics prosecutors and investigators:
The type kind and amount of illegal drugs or narcotics involved in your arrest.
- The amount of pounds, grams, or ounces of the drug or narcotic found in possession can make a difference in whether you are charged with straight possession or possession of illegal drugs or narcotics for sale.
Whether you have a prior criminal record for drugs or narcotics convictions and arrests.
- The number of times you’ve been to prison and the reasons for any past illegal drug or narcotics arrests or convictions.
If your drug or narcotics arrest involves simple use or drug narcotics possession (small amounts), it is likely your case will not be investigated or prosecuted by federal narcotics investigators and prosecutors. Your case will most likely be investigated and prosecuted by local New York law enforcement investigators and county or state prosecutors.
Dealing with drug possession charges, controlled substance offenses and drug offense cases? Find a criminal defense lawyer who understand how narcotics crime investigations and state and federal prosecutor’s work with drug and narcotic cases. It may help to find an attorney who is not only experienced with these types of cases, but has positive rapport and credibility with law enforcement officers and prosecutors and is skilled at negotiating plea bargains and sentencing.
Felony Class Drug Offenses include:
- Possession For Sale
- Drug Manufacture
- Importation
- Attempts to Sell
- Cultivation and Sales
- Transportation
- Distribution
Criminal attorneys experienced with drug offense handle the following (all drug crimes, cocaine possession, narcotics and drug offense cases in state and federal courts:
- Drug trafficking
- Drug smuggling
- Distribution of controlled substances
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug possession
- Money laundering
- Related forfeiture proceedings
Special note: forfeiting proceedings may be required in certain situations and this means you could lose your property if you’re convicted of a drug crime. For example, if your house is used to make and distribute drugs, the government may be able to seize your home.
Understanding State and Federal Sentence and Penalties (see Rockefeller Drug Laws).
Punishment and penalties imposed for drug offense cases generally depends on:
- The quantity of the narcotic or drug.
- The classification of the narcotic or drug under the schedules.
- The purpose of the narcotic or drug possession.
So What Is PWID?
PWID stands for possession with the intent to distribute and is considered a serious crime. PWID drug offense cases include the following:
- The defendant possessed a controlled substance.
- The defendant did so knowingly and intentionally.
- The defendant possessed the controlled substance and had the specific intent to distribute it, which means to transfer or attempt to transfer to another person.
- The defendant had said amount of the controlled substance
Prosecutors can prove your intent to distribute drugs just by showing the quantity of the drug, without any evidence that you actually distributed the drug.
Some states have more harsh penalties for drug crimes where minors (a minor is anyone under 21 years old) are involved. For example, more severe punishment is imposed if:
- Minors are used to distribute the narcotics or drugs
- The drugs are delivered or sold to minors
- The drugs are sold or distributed on school property.
Some of the most common illegal drugs are:
- METHAMPHETAMINE
- MARIJUANA
- MDMA (ECSTASY)
- CRACK COCAINE
- HEROIN
- STEROIDS
- INHALANTS
A Complete List of Illegal and Controlled Drugs
- Anorectic
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Benzylpiperazine
- Buprenorphine
- Butorphanol
- Cannabis
- Chloral Hydrate
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Depressants
- Dextromethorphan
- Dextroproxyphene
- Fentanyl
- Flunitrazepam
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate
- Hallucinogens
- Hashish
- Hashish Oil
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Inhalants
- Ketamine
- Khat
- Levo Alphacetylmethadol
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
- Marijuana
- Meperidine
- Meprobamate
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- Methaqualone
- Methcathinone
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
- Methylphenidate
- Methylthioamphetamine
- Morphine
- Narcotics
- Opium
- Oxycodone
- Paraldehyde
- Pentazocine
- Peyote
- Phencyclidine
- Salvia Divinorum
- Steroids
- Stimulants
- Thebaine
- Tryptamines
Find a lawyer to help you with narcotic or drug possession charges.
- State and federal criminal cases
- White collar crimes
- Narcotic and drug offenses
Criminal attorneys experienced with drug offenses may be able to help with all drug crimes, cocaine possession, narcotics and drug offense cases in state and federal courts.
