Drug charges have been among the most serious in the country ever since the ‘War on Drugs’ began in the 80s. Today, New York continues to have some of the toughest drug laws in the nation and it’s vital that anyone charged with a drug crime understands what to expect following their arrest. Doing so could help you figure out what steps you need to take and why you’ll have to make sure to defend yourself the right way.
With that in mind, here are some key things to consider.
- Even though many states in the nation are decriminalizing or outright legalizing marijuana, New York isn’t among them. Seven simple possession here can have a big impact on your life. In other words, even when it’s a misdemeanor there’s no such thing as a minor drug charge when you look at the grand scheme of things.
- In some cases, fines can reach tens of thousands of dollars and prison sentences can reach 20 years. That’s for serious charges, of course, and usually your past criminal history will play a part in the severity of the sentence as well.
- It’s worth noting that even if you’re facing a misdemeanor charge that comes with little more than probation, you’ll still have another issue to deal with: your record. More employers, landlords, and even lenders than ever before are now running criminal background checks on applicants – as much as 90% of employers are estimated to use background checks. Even a minor drug conviction could mean that you struggle later in life due to the spot on your record.
- There’s a big misconception that you need to plead guilty to any drug related charge. The rationale is that since it’s difficult to defend yourself against the charge, it’s better to simply try for a lesser sentence. But the reality is that there are plenty of different ways that your attorney could help you achieve a better outcome by going to trial. From getting charges dropped to getting a not guilty sentence, there are numerous options out there. Your attorney will help you figure out what your best course of action is, of course, but don’t assume that just pleading guilty is the way to go.
Drug charges are serious business, and it’s important that you do what you can to overcome them in the best way possible. Speaking to an attorney as soon as possible is the first step towards doing just that.