More than 7.6 million people live on Long Island, making it the most densely populated island in the nation. That kind of population concentration means that crimes will occur more frequently than we’d like. Of these, drug charges are very common. If you find yourself facing drug charges, you will need to prepare yourself for your defense. However, a growing issue is that thanks to the rise of the internet and a wealth of crime-related TV shows, plenty of misconceptions are out there.
Just because you saw it on TV or online, and just because a friend told you, doesn’t mean that it’s true. It’s worth taking a closer look at some of the biggest misconceptions about drug charges to help you understand just how serious they can really be. Here are some of the main things to keep in mind.
- For starters, it’s worth understanding that under New York law, you can indeed be charged with drug possession even if you didn’t know that drugs were present in a home or vehicle. Many assume that this isn’t the case, but if you’re in the same space as someone possessing drugs, you can be charged and even convicted.
- A police officer doesn’t have to tell you that they’re a cop if you ask them. This is one of the oldest myths out there, and nobody is really sure where it started. It’s often called ‘entrapment’ by those who don’t understand what the term actually means. Simply put, if you sell drugs to a cop, you’re in trouble – even if you asked them if they were a policeman.
- Drug charges can have a tremendous impact on your life, even if it’s misdemeanor simple possession. Some assume that since they are just sentenced to probation that they’re off the hook. The reality is that your conviction will go on your criminal record and will impact your ability to find work and much more.
- Pleading guilty isn’t always the best option. Most people feel that the evidence against them means they have no options other than to plead out, but in some cases circumstances could mean that charges might be dropped completely. Talking to an attorney is the only way to know for sure.
If you’re charged with any kind of drug related offense, you owe it to yourself to contact a professional criminal defense attorney They’ll sort out fact from fiction and help you get the best possible outcome from your case.