Queens Drug Crime Lawyer

Queens Drug Crime Attorney

Drug crimes carry significant penalties in Queens, NY, which is why the impact this can have on one’s life makes facing these accusations extremely stressful. If this is happening to you, securing the dedicated support of a Queens drug crime lawyer can make a difference in how effectively you are able to navigate the legal system and challenge the prosecution’s evidence against you.

At Greco Neyland, PC, we understand the gravity of drug crime charges. It is why our team examines every detail of the cases we take on to help develop a tailored, effective defense strategy that can reduce or dismiss the charges entirely. To better support our clientele, we have staff members who speak Spanish to ensure that language barriers are never an obstacle to crafting a strong defense. Contact us today for extra support fighting for your rights.

How Do You Defend Yourself When Charged With a Drug Crime in Queens, NY?

To successfully defend yourself against drug crime charges in Queens, you will need to collaborate with an effective Queens criminal defense lawyer to create a robust legal strategy that will withstand trial. Some of the most effective defense strategies leveraged in previous cases include:

Challenging the Legality of the Search and Seizure

One of the most common defenses employed in drug crime cases is to challenge the legality of law enforcement’s behavior before and after the evidence was collected. If officers did not obtain an official search warrant before invading your space, a defense attorney will highlight this procedural misstep to prove that the evidence in their case was unlawfully obtained and should be dismissed. This could prevent them from using the drugs they found as evidence.

Proving Lack of Possession

Many drug crime cases require the prosecution to prove that a defendant was in possession of drugs. The term “actual possession” means drugs were found directly on a person, while “constructive possession” means drugs were found in a specific area that someone had control over. Depending on the details of your case, a defense attorney could argue that their client was unaware the drugs were in their presence and are not deserving of criminal charges in Queens, NY.

Questioning the Substance Identification

Prosecutors must make it clear that any drugs found with a defendant must be an illegal drug. A defense attorney may request their own independent analysis of what substances were found with their client to ensure the drug actually is exactly what is being purported. Any mistakes made during this identification process could have the power to dismiss the charges entirely.

Establishing Entrapment

The concept of entrapment is when law enforcement officers manipulate someone into committing a crime that they had no intention of committing. If a defense attorney can prove this happened, it could shift the focus of misconduct on the law enforcement officers involved in the case rather than the defendant. To prove this, a defense attorney will need to show that the idea for the crime originated with the police.

Arguing for Medical Necessity

Sometimes, a defendant believes that they are in possession of drugs that they need for certain medical conditions. For example, if they were approved to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, showing approval from a healthcare professional can help to prove this position.

Highlighting a Procedural Error

There are many strict rules outlined by the criminal justice system that must be followed. If there is any evidence to suggest a deviation from these procedures, it could be grounds for the defense to have the charges reduced or dismissed. For example, this could include someone’s failure to read a defendant their Miranda rights, improperly handling evidence, or refusal to follow the established chain of custody protocols.

Because defending against drug crime charges is complicated, a defense attorney can help boost the level of detail and strategy in your defense. They will spend time analyzing every detail of your case to provide their professional opinion on what combination of defense positions would be the most advantageous for your case.

Queens Drug Crime FAQs

Q: How Long Is a Jail Sentence for Drug Possession in New York?

A: The length of time you may be required to spend in jail for drug possession will vary based on what type and quantity you had of a drug in addition to your personal criminal history. For example, if you were found to have a small amount of marijuana for the first time, you would be more likely to face a fine or mandated rehabilitation class rather than going to prison.

More serious drug charges, like distribution or trafficking, are much more punishable. This is especially true if you are a repeat offender.

Q: Is Molly Legal in New York?

A: No, “molly” is an illegal substance in New York. The term “molly” is short for MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). It is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, which means that it has a reputation for being extremely addictive and abused by users. If anyone is found guilty of possessing, distributing, or manufacturing molly, they could face serious criminal charges that include large fines and a lengthy prison sentence.

Q: What Drugs Are Illegal in New York?

A: There are many different drugs that are classified as illegal in New York, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, molly, and other prescription medicines that someone might have without a valid prescription from a healthcare professional. New York categorizes these drugs under different “schedules” based on how easy it is to become addicted and abuse them. Synthetic drugs like K2 or Spice are also strictly prohibited.

Q: How Can a Drug Crime Lawyer Help With My Case?

A: A drug crime lawyer in Queens can be a valued resource when navigating the complexities of your case. They will start the process by investigating every event that occurred during your arrest, all evidence being used by the prosecution, and any procedural violations made during the process. They will also look to see if any of the prosecution’s witnesses are unreliable and use any disconnects in their story to raise doubts in front of a judge and jury.

Contact Greco Neyland, PC Today

If you have been accused of drug activity in Queens and need to start developing a criminal defense strategy, contact the attorneys at Greco Neyland, PC, today. For years, we have been helping the community protect their rights and ensure justice prevails. We proudly offer Spanish-speaking staff to ensure all of our community has the legal support it needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.