New York Campus Drug Offense Lawyer

College students who find themselves facing drug charges must realize that any type of criminal conviction can have long-lasting and significant consequences on their future – especially when seeking employment or receiving student aid.Whether you are arrested for or charged with a controlled substance or marijuana misdemeanor, including New York Penal Law 220.03 and New York Penal Law 221.10, on or off campus, the ramifications are great. Even paraphernalia offenses, such as Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, New York Penal Law 220.50, is not exempt from impacting your future. Whether facing drug or alcohol offenses, or both, it is wise to seek the counsel of an experienced drug lawyer to protect legal rights.

If the crime which you are accused of committing is a felony, such as New York Penal Law 220.06, Fifth Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, the stakes are that much greater.

• Seventh Degree Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance: NY PL 220.03
• Criminal Possession of Marihuana: NY PL 221.10
• Second Degree Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (NY PL 220.50)
• Fifth Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance: NY PL 220.06

If you or your college-aged student have been charged with a drug offense, contact an experienced New York campus drug offense lawyer who can review the situation and determine what legal options might be available – including participating in diversion programs – so that you can make an informed decision about what is in your best interests and those of your family.

Campus Drug Offenses

New York campus drug offenses can include drugs, alcohol, or a combination of the two. As they are generally interconnected, it is important to look at both:

• NY drug offenses. New York penalizes drug crimes based on possession or possession with the intent to sell. While the former may result in lesser penalties, both can result in fines and possible jail time depending on the quantity of drugs at issue, the ages of the parties involved, and the overall facts and circumstances of the situation.

It is important to keep in mind that the sale a controlled substance has a very broad meaning and can often include transactions where no money exchanges hands.

Drugs can include illegal substances such as cocaine, crack, Ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamines, LSD, PCP, heroin, and others. They can also include the illegal possession of prescription drugs such as Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin, OxyContin, Hydrocodone – an opioid pain reliever and cough suppressant that is found in many prescription medications, and Benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Xanax, and Valium.

In many situations, law enforcement officers engage in illegal search or seizures which can nullify drug charges. An experienced New York campus drug offense lawyer can review the record to determine if these rights have been violated.

• NY DWI. New York has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving while alcohol impaired (DWAI) for those who are under the legal drinking age of 21. Essentially, that means having a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .02, which in many cases can be attributed to one drink.

While most underage New York DWI/DWAI cases are heard before an administrative judge at the Department of Motor Vehicles, convictions can result in fines, license suspension or license revocation, and significantly increase car insurance policy rates.

Help from an Attorney

If you are facing drug charges, contact an experienced New York campus drug offense lawyer immediately to discuss your situation, review your legal options, and determine whether you might be qualified to participate in a diversion program to have the charges against you dismissed or mitigated.

• New York Drug Crimes and Laws
• New York College General Arrest & Disciplinary Hearing Information Page

Drug convictions not only tarnish your reputation, they can also affect your ability to receive financial aid, participate in work assistance programs, and qualify for educational grants. Everyone makes mistakes, but your future is important. Find out how a drug offense attorney can help you.

Call our New York drug crime lawyers and former Manhattan prosecutors at (212) 312-7129 or contact us online today