Brooklyn
Drug Crime
Lawyer
Brooklyn Drug Crime Attorney
Drug crimes are some of the most commonly prosecuted criminal offenses in the state of New York. If you are arrested in possession of certain illicit substances or for driving under the influence of drugs, you face substantial penalties that can negatively impact your life for many years to come. In this situation, you need a Brooklyn drug crime lawyer you can trust to help you navigate your case with confidence.
Providing Defense Representation to Brooklyn Clients Charged With Drug Crimes
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can provide the criminal defense representation you can count on in any case involving drug-related criminal offenses. A Brooklyn drug crimes attorney is your most effective option if you want to prove that you were wrongfully charged or to minimize your sentencing if you made a mistake and broke New York’s drug laws.
Our team has the experience and resources you need to approach your drug crimes case with greater confidence. There are many benefits to working with our criminal defense firm, including:
- Experience in both state and federal courts, including the 2nd Judicial District Court serving Brooklyn and Kings County
- Decades of legal experience among our attorneys
- A proven history of successful case results
- Comprehensive and client-based legal representation
- Multilingual legal services
- Responses to calls and emails within hours
Our top-rated criminal defense lawyers offer reliable support against your drug offense charges. We know the right defense strategies and can assess your situation for the ideal outcome.
New York Drug Laws
It’s possible to face several types of drug charges in New York, depending on the nature of your offense. Some of the most commonly prosecuted drug crimes in Brooklyn include:
- Simple possession for personal consumption
- Criminal possession of a controlled substance
- Possession with intent to sell
- Criminally using drug paraphernalia
- Use of a child to commit a controlled substance offense
- Criminal sale of a controlled substance
- Drug trafficking
The severity of the penalties you face and whether you face misdemeanor or felony charges hinges on the type of drug involved in the case, the quantity of the drug in question, and the presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors.
In Kings County, there were over 2,800 arrests for possession of controlled substances misdemeanor offenses in 2024, and over 2,100 arrests for felony offenses. There were 1,241 arrests for criminal sale of a controlled substance, all of which are felonies.
New York follows the scheduling guidelines enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States:
- Schedule I drugs are substances perceived to have no medical value and a high potential for addiction and abuse. Examples of Schedule I drugs include heroin, ecstasy, LSD, and peyote.
- Schedule II includes drugs and controlled substances that may have medical value in particular circumstances but carry a high potential for abuse, such as morphine and methadone.
- Schedule III drugs are substances with high potential for abuse but have established medical value for various conditions, such as ketamine and Tylenol with codeine.
- Schedule IV and Schedule V drugs include many substances available legally with a prescription or even over the counter, but are illegal to purchase and sell on the street.
The penalty for a drug offense involving a Schedule I drug will be much more severe than an offense involving a Schedule II or Schedule III drug.
Other factors the prosecution will consider include the quantity of the drug involved and evidence that the defendant intended to sell it or transport it across state or national borders. Other aggravating factors that can increase a defendant’s sentence include bodily harm to others or the use of a firearm when they committed their drug-related offense.
Your Right to Legal Counsel and Working With the Right Team
Every American has the right to legal counsel when charged with a crime under the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution. If you are charged with a controlled substance crime, you need to take advantage of this right.
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we provide the highest levels of representation to every client. Our firm offers 24/7 contact, so you can always get in touch with a member of our team for answers to your questions or to address your concerns as your case progresses.
We’ll provide you with timely updates as your case unfolds and help you address any complex issues that might arise during your proceedings. Regardless of whether you face misdemeanor or felony drug charges in Brooklyn, you can count on our team to provide comprehensive representation through the conclusion of your case.
Defending Against Drug Possession and Trafficking Charges in Brooklyn, NY
Your drug crimes attorney in Brooklyn will help you determine the optimal approach to your defense. In any criminal case, the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. In a drug crime case, the prosecution must prove several facts beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The prosecution must prove that the substance in question is a scheduled controlled substance.
- The prosecution must then prove that the defendant possessed the substance in question.
- The prosecution must also establish that the defendant knew of the possession.
- Finally, the prosecution must prove the defendant’s possession was unlawful.
If your drug case involves additional offenses such as firearms violations, drug trafficking, or violence, you could face additional charges that increase your sentence. For example, simple possession of a controlled substance in New York could result in several days in prison and a small fine, or it could amount to several years in prison and a substantially larger fine, depending on the type of substance and the quantity.
Your Brooklyn drug crimes attorney must help you call the prosecution’s evidence into question.
If you had no idea that the drugs were in your possession, this could be all the defense you need to avoid conviction. For example, you give a ride to a friend in your car, and a baggie of heroin drops out of their pocket onto the floor of your vehicle. Later that day, you are pulled over for a moving violation, and the police officer notices the baggie on the floor.
While you may be responsible for the traffic violation, the passenger’s drugs do not belong to you, and you did not know that they were in your vehicle. This is just one example of why you need a reliable Brooklyn drug crimes lawyer on your side in this type of situation.
FAQs About Brooklyn Drug Crime Laws
How Can You Win a Drug Possession Case?
The most effective way to win a drug possession case is to work with an experienced drug possession defense attorney. There are multiple potential methods of defense, such as if you were unaware of the controlled substance or if it was not actually in your possession. A defense can also work to suppress evidence if it was secured illegally, such as through an unreasonable search and seizure. The right defense depends on your situation, and you need a defense attorney.
What Is the Sentence for a Drug Felony in New York?
The sentence for a drug felony in New York will depend on the level of felony the offense is charged. Most drug felonies are between Class E and Class B felonies, although there are some exceptions. A Class E felony can result in up to four years of imprisonment, while a Class B felony can result in up to 25 years of imprisonment. Some offenses may even have mandatory minimum sentences.
How Long Do Drug Cases Last?
There is no set timeline for drug cases. If you are charged with an offense, the time the case takes will rely on factors like the severity of your offense, the amount of evidence against you, the availability of the court, and whether the case goes to trial. When you hire a drug crime lawyer, they can assess the case against you and give you a more accurate estimate of the timeline.
What Is the Seven-Day Rule for Controlled Substances in New York?
The seven-day rule for controlled substances in New York is Public Health 3331, which requires providers, in their professional discretion, to only provide up to a seven-day supply of certain opioids for acute pain.
This includes opioids listed under Schedule II, III, or IV. Only after this initial amount and a subsequent consultation can an appropriate renewal, refill, or new prescription be made. Acute pain refers to pain that is reasonably expected to last a short period of time.
Hire a Drug Crime Lawyer That You Can Trust
If you are charged with any drug offense in Brooklyn, you must act quickly to secure legal counsel. The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can provide the defense representation you need to face misdemeanor possession charges or felony trafficking charges. Contact us today and schedule a case review with an experienced and reliable Brooklyn drug crimes attorney.
Robert Tsigler, Esq. has handled thousands of cases as a Brooklyn criminal defense lawyer and knows how to create the best opportunity to secure the results your case deserves. If you have any questions about a pending drug charge, call the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC at 718-878-3781.
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