Criminal Defense Lawyers

Buffalo, NY Drug Trafficking Charges: Understanding the Penalties

Buffalo, NY Drug Trafficking Charges: Understanding the Penalties

Getting charged with a drug crime in Buffalo can be really scary. The penalties here are no joke — New York has some of the toughest drug laws in the country 2 . 

Even a small amount of drugs can lead to huge fines and years in prison if you’re convicted.But try not to panic! There are things you can do to protect yourself and get the best possible outcome. This article will walk you through the common drug charges in Buffalo, the penalties you may face, and some smart moves for fighting the charges.

The Most Common Drug Charges in Buffalo

Here are some of the main drug crimes people get charged with in Buffalo 1:

• Possession – Having illegal drugs on you, even a small amount for personal use. This can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the drug and quantity.
• Possession with intent to distribute – Possessing a larger quantity of drugs that suggests you planned to sell them. Automatically a felony.
• Distribution/sale – Actually selling or sharing illegal drugs with someone else. Also a felony.
• Trafficking – Bringing large quantities of drugs into New York State with intent to distribute. Big-time felony with huge penalties.
• Marijuana charges – Possession, sale, growing weed – these are common but penalties aren’t as harsh as “harder” drugs.
• Prescription drug crimes – Illegal possession, sale, or distribution of controlled prescription medications.

The specific charge will depend on three main factors:

1. The type and amount of drug involved
2. Your criminal history (if any)
3. Whether there’s evidence you intended to sell or distribute the drugs

Penalties for Drug Crimes in Buffalo

The penalties for drug charges in Buffalo range from fines and probation for minor offenses up to many years in state prison for drug trafficking.Here’s an overview of the common penalties 1 3 4 5:

• Possession of a small amount – Up to 1 year in jail and max $1000 fine for a misdemeanor; 1-2.5 years prison for a felony.
• Possession with intent to distribute – Felony punishable by 1-25 years prison time.
• Sale/distribution – Also a felony with 1-25 year prison sentences.
• Marijuana possession – Max 1 year jail for under 16oz; stiffer penalties for large quantities 6.
• Trafficking – Minimum 10 years up to life in prison for trafficking serious narcotics like heroin or cocaine.
• Second or third offenses – Harsher penalties, especially for repeat trafficking convictions.
• Juvenile offenses – Youthful offenders may get probation / treatment instead of jail time.

As you can see, a felony conviction means serious prison time here. Even a misdemeanor could disrupt your life with hefty fines and probation requirements.So don’t take any drug charges lightly — start working on your defense strategy right away.

Building a Strong Defense Against Drug Charges

The best way to avoid the harsh penalties for drug convictions in Buffalo is to fight the charges and get them reduced or dismissed. Here are some legal strategies that could help:

• Challenge the search and seizure – If the police didn’t have a legal basis for the search and arrest, the evidence may be thrown out.
• Dispute drug test results – Faulty lab procedures could invalidate drug test evidence used against you.
• Raise doubt about intent – The prosecution has to prove you intended to distribute drugs, not just possess them.
• Negotiate a plea deal – Plead to a lower charge in exchange for avoiding a felony trial.
• Enter a diversion program – First-time offenders may be able to get charges dismissed through a rehab or education program.
• Utilize sentencing alternatives – Argue for probation and treatment instead of prison time.

The options depend on the details of your case and criminal background. An experienced Buffalo drug crimes lawyer knows how to craft the best defense strategy for your situation.Don’t go it alone against the aggressive prosecutors here. Having a knowledgeable attorney in your corner can make all the difference.

Using a Drug Crimes Lawyer for the Best Results

Trying to navigate Buffalo’s complex drug laws without an attorney is just too risky. The penalties are too severe, and the prosecutors too unforgiving.With so much on the line, the smartest move is to have an expert local lawyer represent you. Here’s how hiring a drug crimes attorney can help:

• Assess your options accurately – They’ll explain exactly what penalties you realistically face. No sugar-coating or worst-case scenarios.
• Craft an effective defense – Use their experience fighting Buffalo drug cases to build the strongest defense arguments.
• Negotiate with the DA – Prosecutors know them and respect their skill, so can negotiate better plea deals.
• Present your best case in court – An experienced trial lawyer who knows the local courts inside-out.
• Avoid mandatory minimums – They know how to steer clear of the harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
• Get you into a diversion program – Well-connected lawyers have an edge getting you into an alternative sentencing program.

With an attorney guiding each step of the process, you can minimize penalties and avoid felony convictions that follow you for life. Don’t leave your fate to chance – hire a drug crimes lawyer immediately after an arrest in Buffalo.

Finding the Right Drug Crimes Attorney for Your Case

There are a lot of criminal defense lawyers out there, but you need to find one who specifically specializes in defending drug charges. Ask these key questions when evaluating lawyers:

• Do they focus exclusively on drug cases? Look for a true drug crimes specialist, not a general practitioner.
• How much experience do they have in Buffalo courts? Find someone who regularly handles local cases and knows the judges, prosecutors and systems here.
• What are their credentials? Search for lawyer profiles on sites like Avvo that showcase their background and client reviews.
• Can they cite drug case wins? Ask for specific examples of getting drug cases dismissed or charges reduced for past clients.
• Are they respected by prosecutors? The DA’s office only fears (and listens to) a select few lawyers – find one of them.
• Do you feel comfortable with them? Make sure it’s someone you connect with and truly believes in your innocence.

Don’t take chances – put an experienced Buffalo drug crimes lawyer on your side immediately. They can make the difference between a slap on the wrist or years behind bars. With their guidance, you can move past this charge and get your life back on track.

References

 https://www.arthurpressmanlaw.com/new-york-controlled-substance-penalty-guide/

 https://www.wny-lawyers.com/2023/03/exploring-the-different-types-of-criminal-charges-in-buffalo/

 https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/buffalo-man-pleads-guilty-drug-and-gun-charges-1

 https://dmv.ny.gov/tickets/penalties-alcohol-or-drug-related-violations

 https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Trafficking%20Penalties.pdf

 https://norml.org/laws/new-york-penalties-2/