Albany Drug Crimes Lawyer
Have You Been Charged with a Drug Crime in NY State?
Drug crimes in New York cover a number of separate criminal offenses which vary on punishment ranges based on the type of drug, quantity, and overall criminal intent. Even a small amount of drugs can lead to federal and state criminal charges, both which carry life-altering punishments. Charged with a drug crime? Do not hesitate to contact an experienced Albany drug crimes attorney as soon as possible to assist you in fighting the charges.
New York Drug Laws
New York has long had a history of having the strictest and toughest drug laws in the country. During the 1970s, in the era of Studio 54, New York was a hot bed of drug activity. After non-punitive measures to combat rising drug use failed, new statutes were enacted in the state which led to severe penalties for sale or possession of drugs. These laws became known as the Rockefeller Drug Laws, after Governor Nelson D. Rockefeller who signed these bills into law after campaigning for them. After these laws were passed, people caught in possession of 4 ounces or selling 2 ounces of heroin, morphine, opium, cocaine, or marijuana faced a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. These mandatory minimums relaxed overtime, but still lasted nearly 30 years despite drastic changes within other states.
Only recently has this stigma changes as drug laws have “relaxed” and now allow greater discretion to judges overseeing drug cases. Drug rehabilitation programs and other alternative sentencing are now options and the mandatory minimum sentences were eliminated for both higher level offenders and lower level offenders alike.
Drug Crimes in New York
Drug crime offenses include the possession or sale of any of the following drugs:
- Cocaine or crack
- Crystal meth
- Ecstasy
- Heroin
- LSD
- Marijuana
Each type of drug holds different levels of offenses, and many include heightened charges depending on the circumstances of your arrest. For example, if you are arrested on the grounds of a public school, you may face additional charges due to your proximity to a school zone. This can heighten your minor misdemeanor charges into a felony offense. Check out our blog for more information about the different drug possession offense levels.
Federal Drug Crimes
Federal drug charges can also be brought against you, and often carry severe penalties even for first offenders. Federal drug crimes additionally include mandatory minimum sentences which can be heightened for a number of reasons, such as prior felony convictions, weapon use during the drug exchange, or distributing drugs to a minor.
Hug Law, PLLC | Albany, New York Drug Crime Lawyer
Drug crimes can be complex and overwhelming, especially for a first time offender. Attorney Matthew Hug of Hug Law, PLLC can assist you in understanding the charges brought against you as well as formulating your defense strategy. Matthew Hug has nearly ten years of experience in defending his clients against drug charges. New York law has become more lenient regarding drug charges although this does not necessarily mean that each case is “open and shut.” Instead, Hug knows the legal ramifications of each offense, as well as how to deliver the best result for your unique case. Contact our law offices today for your initial free consultation or call Matthew at 518-283-3288.
Related Information About Drug Crimes & Possession
Read below for articles by attorney Matthew Hug on drug possession and the varying degrees of criminal law punishment associated with the drug crime: