New York Drug Arrest

Being arrested for drugs can ruin the rest of your life. You may be a good person who made a mistake, or maybe you were arrested in error, but being found guilty of possession of a controlled substance and/or distribution of illegal drugs will be on your criminal record permanently. That's why it's so important to have experienced legal help if you ever find yourself arrested and charged with a drug offense, no matter how minor it may seem at the time. At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, our New York Drug Arrest Lawyer team is familiar with the state and federal laws regarding drug possession and trafficking, and will work diligently to provide you with a solid defense.

Because of the War on Drugs, people may find themselves charged with a whole host of crimes if they're found possessing illegal narcotics. Depending on your state and the DA who will prosecute your case, you may be looking at a number of charges including:

• Being under the influence or DWI
• Distribution of illegal narcotics
• Drug trafficking
• Drug cultivation
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Manufacturing
• Transportation and importation of illegal drugs

If you're facing the possibility of a drug conviction, then it's vital to your future that you seek out our experienced New York Drug Arrest Lawyer staff to help prepare your defense. If you're convicted, you may be facing not only heavy financial fines, but also serious jail time as well.

Because drug crimes are taken so seriously by law enforcement, these types of cases are often heard in special drug courts or in a federal court. Many drug crimes are considered to be federal crimes, and being convicted of a federal drug crime means that you may be looking at much harsher penalties than if you were convicted in a state court.

A drug crime can involve possessing small amounts of marijuana or the abuse of prescription medication or other controlled substances. You can also be charged with trafficking if you travel across the border or across state lines. Cases that involve drug possession, trafficking and delivery can be extremely complex and may involve other areas of criminal law. These cases often hinge on the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which protects individuals from unlawful searches and seizures. This is one of the areas that your New York Drug Arrest Lawyer team will look closely at because much of the evidence in these drug cases are gotten through searches and seizures, some of which may have been conducted without a warrant.

If you're arrested for possession of illegal substances, the state will have to prove that you have both the actual knowledge of these controlled substances and were in physical possession of those substances. You may argue that the drugs aren't yours, but the law says that it doesn't matter if other people have access to the illegal narcotics; if they're in your possession, you may be charged. It's also worth pointing out that possession usually means having a personal or small amount of drugs. If you are carrying more than a personal amount of drugs, the state may charge you with trafficking, drug selling or having the intent to distribute.

If you're arrested and charged with drug possession and/or trafficking, it's vital that you say nothing to law enforcement officers until you speak to our New York Criminal Attorney. Our New York Drug Arrest Lawyer team at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC will thoroughly review the facts surrounding your case, and examine the legality of the searches that led to your arrest, to determine what your legal defense should be. Our Drug Crime lawyers will work hard to get your charges reduced or hopefully dropped, and will also work to reduce the fines and jail time you may receive.

Please call Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free consultation. Or contact one of our New York City offices serving Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx or Brooklyn, or in Westchester County or one of our Long Island offices in Nassau County or Suffolk County.