Heroin Crimes Attorney
Throughout the State of New York, the heroin epidemic doesn’t get better or worse, but stagnates between the two. Still, there is an average of 10.6 deaths for every 100,000 residents, and because of the grave societal toll heroin takes, prosecutors and judges in New York have very little patience and compassion for individuals charged with a heroin crime. If you’ve been arrested for possession, distribution, or manufacturing heroin, you could be facing significant incarceration.
Don’t let heroin put you away for years and slap a felony on your record. This is a public health issue, not necessarily a criminal one. Therefore, if you’ve been charged with a heroin crime, you need a competent heroin crimes attorney in Orange County, NY.
New York Heroin Possession Law
As heroin is a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, heroin possession carries severe punishments in New York. However, if you’re caught with less than 1/8 ounce of heroin, equivalent to 3.5 grams, you’ll only be charged with criminal possession in the 7th degree (New York State Penal Law § 220.03). Although less severe than other heroin crimes, criminal possession in the 7th degree is still a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by no more than one year in prison and not more than $1,000 in fines.
Other heroin possession crimes and punishments include:
- Possession of an 8th of an ounce of heroin (3.5 grams): Class C felony punishable by 1 to 5.5 years in prison.
- Possession of 1/2 ounce or more (14 grams): Class B felony punishable by 1 to 9 years in prison.
- Possession of 4 ounces or more (113 grams): Class A-II felony punishable by 3 to 10 years in prison.
- Possession of 8 ounces or more (226 grams): Class A-I felony punishable by 8 to 20 years in prison.
New York Heroin Distribution Law
Because of the high capacity for overdose with heroin as well as the addiction rate, distribution of heroin in New York State carries an immediate felony. According to New York State Penal Law § 220.16, even possession with the intent to sell carries a Class B felony punishable by 1 to 9 years in prison. In other words, if you are caught with multiple bags of heroin, all for personal use, the police could still charge you with intent to deliver.
Contact the Leading New York Criminal Lawyer Today
Being convicted of a heroin crime, such as possession or distribution, can carry lifelong, serious penalties. For this reason, it is essential that you get only the top drug crimes attorney in Orange County, NY, to fight on your side. We’ll ensure that your rights are respected, and we’ll diligently investigate the circumstances of the heroin seizure. Using aggressive courtroom tactics combined with competent legal representation, we’ll strive for a not-guilty conviction or a dropped case. Or, if the evidence is truly stacked against you, we’ll work with judges and prosecutors to see if we can turn the heroin crime in a public health issue, with drug rehabilitation instead of prison.
For the top-rated heroin crimes attorney in Orange County, contact the Law Offices of Benjamin Greenwald today at (845) 567-4820.
