HOW ARE DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES TREATED IN NEW YORK?

HOW ARE DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES TREATED IN NEW YORK?
On behalf of Law Office Of Scott G. Cerbin, Esq., PLLC posted in drug trafficking on Friday, September 27, 2019.

New York residents who are accused of drug trafficking will have to take measures to keep themselves safe. Unfortunately, New York has stringent laws that apply to drug trafficking and they can make your life difficult if convicted.

FindLaw states that New York has some of the toughest drug laws in the country. Even first-time offenders who only purchase illicit substances can face huge fines and possibly even time in jail. Many first-time offenses are classified as felonies even if you were simply in possession of an illicit substance. Of course, drug distributors and sellers are subject to even harsher penalties if convicted.

Almost all crimes related to drug trafficking or manufacturing are classified as a felony. Felonies are treated harshly by state law. The minimum fine for a felony drug conviction is $5,000. For people convicted of first-degree sale of controlled substances or operating as a drug trafficker, you could be facing fines many times higher than that – up to $100,000.

Of course, time in prison can vary depending on the infraction. Even a first-time offender can face a sentence of up to an entire year. Others can face decades behind bars. Major drug traffickers can even get life sentences with a minimum of 15 years.

If you are currently facing drug trafficking charges, it is important to know just how life-ruining a conviction could be. Not only could it bankrupt you, but it can entirely strip away your freedoms. Consider contacting an attorney to learn more about how to defend yourself against these charges.