White Plains Drug Crimes Attorneys

Trusted Defense Counsel Serving NYC, Westchester & The Surrounding Areas

Criminal convictions involving controlled substances can come with life-changing consequences. Our criminal defense team understands how overwhelming a drug charge my feel after you have been accused. Fortunately, we are familiar with the tactics a prosecution team may use against you, and we are prepared to defend your rights throughout every stage of your case.

At Portale Randazzo LLP, our White Plains drug crime attorneys are dedicated to protecting and defending the rights of those accused. We want any charge to have a minimal effect on your life and our respected and sought-after White Plains drug crimes lawyers have a proven track record for securing favorable outcomes in these cases. Our firm is ready to assess the details of your case and begin developing a robust defense that makes your interests and future a priority.

Get award-winning defense counsel in your corner. Call Portale Randazzo LLP at (914) 292-3557 or use our online form to speak with our team.

Types of Drug Charges

It is illegal to possess, sell, distribute, manufacture, or cultivate illegal substances. Specific drug charges are numerous, and penalties vary vastly depending on the type and amount of drug, the exact charge, and other relevant details. While every case is different, Attorney Richard A. Portale has forged a reputation for providing stalwart counsel in drug cases and he is the White Plains drug crime lawyer you want for positive results for the accused.

Our firm can handle cases involving:

• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Heroine
• Methamphetamine
• Prescription painkillers
• Ecstasy

Drug Crime Penalties in New York

The penalties for drug crimes depend on a number of factors, such as the type and quantity of drug involved, whether this is a first or repeated offense, and what type of criminal activity was involved.

Types of drug crimes and their associated penalties are as follows:

• Criminal possession of a controlled substance. This offense occurs when someone unlawfully has a drug on them or they have the ability to exercise control of the substance. New York has six different degrees of this offense, distinguished by the amount of the drug and whether the person intended to sell the substance. The level the crimes can be charged at range from a class A misdemeanor (possession in the seventh degree) to a class A-I felony (possession in the first degree). Depending on the level of charge, a conviction can result in up to 364 days in jail or up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, fines range from $1,000 to $100,000.
• Criminal sale of a controlled substance. If a person knowingly and unlawfully sells a drug or drugs, they may be accused of committing this crime. Depending on the substance's type and weight, the offense may be charged in the fifth, fourth, third, second, or first degree. The crime is always a felony and ranges from a class D (fifth-degree drug sales) to a class A-I (first-degree drug sales). The punishments include maximum prison terms between 7 and 20 years, and maximum fines between $5,000 and $100,000, depending on the level of charge.
• Criminally using drug paraphernalia. Just as possessing or selling a controlled substance is illegal, so too is having or providing items used to manufacture or consume drugs. Unlawfully possessing or selling drug paraphernalia or a hypodermic syringe is a class A misdemeanor. A conviction is penalized by a jail term of up to 364 days and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, if a person has a prior conviction for using drug paraphernalia, they could be charged with a class D felony. In that case, the penalties increase to imprisonment for up to 7 years and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
• Criminal drug manufacturing. Having items that can be used to make a controlled substance illegal. In New York, offenses involving such conduct are split between methamphetamine manufacturing and the manufacture of other drugs. Depending on the nature of the incident, the level of charge can be a class A misdemeanor or a class E, D, or C felony. Punishments for a class A misdemeanor include jail time for up to 364 days and/or a fine of up to $1,000. A class E felony is punishable by up to 4 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Class D felonies are penalized by a maximum term of imprisonment of 7 years and/or a maximum fine of $5,000. A conviction for a class C felony can result in incarceration for no more than 15 years and/or a fine not to exceed $15,000.
• Operating as a major drug trafficker. In New York, a person can be accused of being a major drug trafficker in three ways: They directed an organization that sells controlled substances, they sold drugs, or they possessed drugs with the intent to sell them. In all instances, the total sales or the drugs' aggravate value must have been $75,000 or more. The offense is a class A-1 felony, which is penalized by a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

There are a variety of defenses we can employ, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. If you have been charged or wrongfully arrested, a Westchester County drug crime defense attorney is critical in the pursuit of the best outcome in court. Our firm is ready to provide a discerning eye on the details of your case and comprehensive strategies that thoroughly counter the state's case against you.

The first step is a conversation. Contact us todayto request a confidential case evaluation with our team.