New York drug crime laws are among the strictest in the country. These laws cover the manufacture, distribution, trafficking and consumption of drugs. Therefore, several drug criminals have fallen victim in the past for engaging in mega drug crimes involving drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
According to Findlaw, New York classifies every case involving drugs as a felony. There are several punishments that drug traffickers receive under these laws. For major traffickers, they can get 15 or more years in jail. If the state imposes a fine for a major drug crime, it has to be above $100,000.
However, for the offender to be convicted, the prosecution has to prove them guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. For instance, they may have to prove that the offender knew that it is illegal to sell or use the drug. Also, they have to determine the intent of transferring the drug to another party. However, these may mostly apply to smaller drug crimes.
Also, the offenders may have several options for defense. For example, lack of intent, lack of knowledge or infancy can be some of the possible arguments against drug crimes. However, that requires an evaluation of the case, especially the evidence presented against them in court.
It’s important to understand the implications of these charges should you or a loved one ever face accusations of a drug-related crime. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can be an invaluable resource when contesting these types of charges.
