New York Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer
Defendants facing drug trafficking charges in New York have an uphill battle. Police, prosecutors, and the courts all take drug distribution charges very seriously. New York’s drug trafficking laws are some of the most severe in the country. If you are facing drug trafficking charges in New York, you need to secure the help of a dedicated and passionate criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. You have the right to defend yourself, and the prosecution has the burden of proving every element of the crime before you can be found guilty. The Goshen criminal defense attorneys at Dupée & Monroe, P.C., have spent years defending clients accused of all manner of drug crimes in New York, and we will fight for your rights and freedom.
Drug Distribution Charges in New York
To convict someone for the criminal sale or distribution of a controlled substance in New York, the prosecution must prove that the defendant knowingly and unlawfully sold a controlled substance or marijuana. New York law prohibits the unlawful sale of a variety of controlled substances. The most common drugs that give rise to distribution charges in New York include the following:
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy (also called “MDMA” or “molly”)
- GHB
- Heroin
- Ketamine (or “Special K”)
- LSD (or “acid”)
- Methadone
- Psilocybin mushrooms (“shrooms” or “magic mushrooms”)
- Methamphetamines (or “meth”)
- PCP
- Prescription drugs (including stimulants such as Adderall, opioids such as oxycodone, or depressants such as Valium or Xanax)
Drug Trafficking in New York
Drug trafficking charges are slightly different from standard sale or distribution charges. Drug trafficking charges may be brought against defendants who are found with illegal drugs in sufficiently large quantities. Trafficking may involve possession, sale, delivery, manufacture, or transportation of controlled substances over that minimum threshold, depending on the case. Trafficking charges are aimed at large-scale dealers or manufacturers, and even the lowest-level trafficking charge is a serious felony.
Pursuant to NY Penal Code section 220.77, a person may be charged as a “major trafficker” when they either lead a large-scale drug trafficking organization, sell drugs for a total value of $75,000 or more over a six-month period, or are found to possess with intent to sell an amount of illegal drugs equal to $75,000 or more over a six-month period.
Operating as a major trafficker is an A-1 felony, punishable by a minimum of 15 to 25 years in prison and a maximum of 25 years to life. Application of New York’s drug trafficking laws is complex and requires a detailed understanding to mount a proper defense. Even mere possession, without proof of actual sale, is chargeable as trafficking so long as the minimum quantity of the drug is connected to the defendant such that “intent to sell” can be shown.
Defendants charged with drug trafficking may also face federal drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. Federal conspiracy laws allow prosecutors to charge each defendant with all of the crimes performed by the other co-conspirators, so long as those crimes were seen as furthering the drug trafficking conspiracy.
How Can We Help
If you have been charged with drug trafficking under federal or New York State law, it is vital to get qualified and zealous legal help on your side as soon as possible. The seasoned criminal defense attorneys at Dupée & Monroe have years of experience fighting against the most serious drug charges. We will look for ways to undermine the prosecutor’s case, reduce the quantity of drugs chargeable to a given defendant, poke holes in any allegations as to intent to sell, and otherwise build a defense that allows our clients to either obtain a more favorable plea bargain or get the charges kicked entirely. We will make sure that the government has not violated your rights any step of the way, and we will ensure that any illegally-obtained evidence is not used against you. At Dupée & Monroe, we protect our clients, and we protect their rights.
If you have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking under New York state law, contact Dupée & Monroe, P.C., in Goshen. We represent clients charged with drug crimes and other serious offenses in Orange County and throughout the Hudson Valley.
