In the late 1990s, the medical community was on the fence about prescription opioid pain relievers. Pharmaceutical companies assured the community Opioids were not addictive. But as more healthcare providers prescribed opioid pain relievers/killers, it became evident that pain relievers (versus pain killers) were highly addictive and easily abused. Opiates like prescription pain relievers, heroin, fentanyl, and Xanax eventually became more popular among young adults and teenagers who live in Long Island and the Greater New York City area.
Naturally, the New York state government strictly follows protocols to minimize the impact of substance abuse on public health, social welfare, and the local economy. This leads to many people being charged with criminal possession of opiate. What should you do when you’re caught with this accusation?
Stay Calm — A Charge Doesn’t Indicate Guilt
Before anything else, get in touch with your criminal attorney. They’ll examine the evidence held against you and challenge any inconsistencies that put you at risk of arrest for a false or unlawful accusation.
The first thing your criminal lawyer would remind you about is that a charge doesn’t make you guilty of opiate possession. Long Island and the rest of Greater New York has seen its share of unlawful arrests, especially in relation to drug possession laws. An experienced criminal defense lawyer knows charges are only allegations that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
Remember say nothing. You have the right to remain silent and get in touch with your attorney. Your Miranda rights are critical in protecting you during police interrogations.
You have the right to remain silent, and get in touch with your attorney, who can be present during any questioning. Having an experienced attorney with you can lead to a resolution in your favor.
At Roche Law Group, for example, we apply our in-depth knowledge of New York’s drug possession laws to make sure you answer interrogations correctly. We also keep our eyes and ears open for anything that can put you in a difficult situation — the police are allowed to provide misinformation and use rouses to get people to admit to something. We make sure you don’t fall for any of it.
Be Informed — Drug Possession Has a Range of Penalties
If the police conduct an unlawful search of your home, your attorney can file for suppression of evidence. If this is successful, the court may dismiss your charges. In some cases, however, it would be extremely difficult to find your way out of drug possession and, possibly, misuse.
Drug possession usually classifies as a misdemeanor. It can lead to various penalties including fines, community service, suspension of driving privileges, drug abuse treatment, and incarceration.
Your best defense to an opiate possession arrest is an experienced attorney who can challenge the prosecution’s case. A criminal defense attorney will guide you through the criminal justice system and put an unlawful arrests behind you. If the evidence arguably points to you being guilty, a strong lawyer can minimize the penalties you ultimately serve.
Get in touch with Roche Law Group today for a free 15-minute consultation.
