Cocaine

Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance. It was classified as such due to its high potential for abuse. It has been a problem in Long Island for decades now, as it is popular as a street drug and a club drug.

That’s why cocaine possession laws are stricter than ever in the state. Fortunately, if you’ve been charged with cocaine possession in Long Island, you have someone to turn to – my name is Olivier E. Roche, Esq., a criminal defense lawyer with vast knowledge in drug cases.

You Have Civil and Constitutional Rights

You may be completely innocent, as it’s common for police to arrest you for possession, even though the drug could have belonged to someone else. You also have certain civil and constitutional rights that the police or prosecutors cannot violate – and I will make sure you enjoy those rights from start to finish.

New York Penalties for Cocaine Possession

• Possessing less than 500mg of cocaine (7th degree, Class A misdemeanor) – up to one year in jail
• Possessing less than 500mg or more, or a cocaine mixture (5th degree, Class D felony) – 1 to 2 1/2 years; second time offenders may face up to 4 years in jail and a previous violent offender could face 4 1/2 years
• Possessing 1/8 of an ounce or more of cocaine or cocaine mixture (4th degree, Class C felony) – 1 to 5 1/2 years in prison; second time offenders may face up to 8 years in jail, and previous violent offenders could face 9 years
• Possessing 1/2 of an ounce or more of cocaine or a mixture (3rd degree, Class B felony) – 1 to 9 years in prison; repeat offenders may face up to 12 years in jail and previous violent offenders could face 15 years
• Possessing of 4 ounces or more of cocaine or a mixture (2nd degree, Class A-II felony) – 3 to 10 years in jail; second time offenders may face up to 14 years in jail and a previous violent offenders could face 17 years
• Possessing 8 ounces or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture (1st degree, a Class A-I felony) – 8 to 20 years in prison; repeat offenders may face up to 24 years in jail and previous violent offenders face 15 to 30 years

If you want to know under which of these categories your circumstance falls, and if you’re looking for legal advice on the matter, call my office today. 516.399.0233