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Long Island Cocaine Possession Lawyer
A Long Island Cocaine Possession Lawyer Can Address Serious Charges
At one time, cocaine was deemed a “party drug” for the wealthy. Cocaine was even believed not to be addictive, something everyone knows is inaccurate. Over the past several decades, opinions on cocaine have changed. Unlike marijuana laws, the state of New York has not softened possession laws for those caught with cocaine on their person.
Under federal law, cocaine remains a Schedule II drug and the penalties for illegal possession of street cocaine or crack can be severe. New York may have reduced its previously harsh sentencing laws, but in no way do the statutes allow anyone convicted of cocaine possession to get off easily.
Misdemeanor for Cocaine Possession
Small amounts of marijuana can be charged as non-traffic infractions under the category of violations. Such is not the case with cocaine. The lowest charge a person may face would be “criminal possession of controlled substance in the seventh degree.”
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
This particular statute is very broad and covers a lot of different drugs. As far as cocaine possession is concerned, anything less than 500 mg would fall under the category of a misdemeanor charge.
While a misdemeanor charge is less serious than a felony, misdemeanor charges should not be taken lightly. Once convicted of a misdemeanor, the charges remain on a person’s record for life. A skilled attorney could work not only at a not guilty verdict based on the circumstances of the case but could try and get the charged dismissed or withdrawn. Of course, those would be the best case scenarios.
This charge falls under the category of a Class A misdemeanor. The penalties for a conviction include a jail sentence of up to one year or three years probation. A maximum fine of $1,000 could be imposed. A defense attorney could negotiate penalties far less severe than the maximum depending on the case.
Those arrested for possession of 500 mg or more of cocaine end up in much direr legal jeopardy.
Felony Possession of Cocaine in New York
Once the amount of cocaine of a cocaine mixture reaches 500 mg and beyond, the levied charges are felonies. The more one has on his or her person, the more severe the charges become. And the words “cocaine mixture” should not be overlooked. The possession does not need to be pure cocaine or an overwhelming purity concentration. Even if a minute amount of cocaine is mixed with something intended to cut its purity, it is the total milligrams that count.
Again, the law in New York can be very strict against those who are arrested for possession of cocaine. Criminal possession of controlled substance in the fifth, fourth, and third degree are considered Class D, C, and B non-violent felonies. The maximum penalties for these three categories of felonies are 2.5, 5.5, and 9 years in prison respectively. The milligrams and ounces of cocaine determine the particular degree.
Once the amount of cocaine reaches four ounces, the charge becomes an A2 felony of second degree possession. The maximum sentence here would be 10 years. At eight ounces, the charge becomes an A1 felony of first degree possession. The maximum sentence may reach 20 years in prison.
A second conviction brings forth mandatory sentencing guidelines, making things even more difficult for the defendant.
Defense Issues to Consider
A talented defense lawyer can approach criminal proceedings in a number of different ways. An attorney could question whether probable cause truly existed when the defendant was searched and arrested. The issue of entrapment may come into play if the defendant was arrested as part of a sting. The evidence can be examined to determine if the weight/amount truly matches the charges being filed.
A case could potentially be thrown out of court depending on the nature of the arrest. Such would likely be the case if the police required a search warrant but did not have one or the officers engaged in entrapment.
The attorney for the defendant can also work towards a plea bargain agreement or, in the event of a guilty verdict, attempt to reduce the sentencing to a fair level. Previous convictions and other matters play a role in sentencing. A defense attorney could highlight a lack of prior trouble with the law or other mitigating circumstances.
Regardless of the situation, retaining the best defense counsel must be a defendant’s top priority.
