Orange County, New York, Narcotic & Drug Paraphenalia Charges Lawyer

Newburgh Narcotics and Drug Paraphernalia

The possession of drug paraphernalia is a serious offense that could lead to severe penalties including fines, forfeiture and jail time. Law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, use paraphernalia charges in an effort to crack-down against the use and distribution of drugs. Many people do not realize the severity of a possession charge involving drug paraphernalia and the penalties that could follow a conviction.

I have extensive experience representing those accused of the package and sale of drugs. I will aggressively assert your rights and defend you in your drug paraphernalia possession case. Contact me for an immediate consultation regarding your case and defense.

At the Law Office of Raymond D. Sprowls, I offer clients my experience grounded in my background as a former prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney of drug crimes. I have been on both sides of the aisle when it comes to trying and defending drug charges. Using this knowledge and experience, I can effectively challenge the evidence presented against you.

Drug paraphernalia and your 4^th Amendment rights
Many paraphernalia charges will depend on the ability of the prosecution to present evidence obtained through a search and seizure. Law enforcement officials are required to follow highly specific procedures that protect your Constitutional rights during a search of your person, your car or your home. If you were stopped and searched preceding an arrest and charge, I can investigate the facts of your case and challenge any evidence that was illegally obtained. Any finding of misconduct by the officers can result in the suppression of evidence and a possible dismissal of your case.

Drug paraphernalia charges may involve the possession of:

Plastic baggies of various sizes
Glassine envelopes of various sizes (heroin)
Scales, digital or analog
Spoons, sieves and strainers
Bunsen burners
Chemical agents, including acetone
Substances used to clean and color narcotics
Additives, simple sugars — maltose, dextrose

Forfeiture defense and paraphernalia defense
Large sums of cash are often confiscated by the police in an effort to prove that they are evidence of drug sale and distribution. Cops may seek to seize cash, your car or your home in the process of a related drug prosecution. The government may seize assets and/or cash in an effort to squeeze a plea out of you. I know and understand this technique. My job is to make sure that the courts understand that your assets are not related to the drug activity with which you were charged.

Marijuana and paraphernalia crimes: THIS DOES NOT EXIST
There is no such thing as marijuana paraphernalia crimes — it is not illegal to sell a bong. It's just a pipe. The cops could bust into a room with 10 lbs of marijuana, scales and baggies, but they could not charge you with possession of drug paraphernalia in such a case. Paraphernalia crimes must involve narcotics. An inexperienced lawyer may not know this and therefore, may not try to get a similar charge dismissed.

Contact the Law Office of Raymond D. Sprowls for a consultation. I offer strategic, intelligent and aggressive advocacy focused on your rights. Call my Newburgh, New York office today so I can take immediate action in building your defense.

Drug Crimes

Recent Case Results

November, 2009:
Two men were arrested in a car after police claimed they had seen the driver (Mr. Sprowls’ client) throw a quantity of cocaine out the window and on to a city street. At a pre-trial suppression hearing, Mr. Sprowls successfully argued to the judge that the evidence should be suppressed. Once the evidence was suppressed, the D.A. had no choice but to dismiss all criminal charges. The defendant ended up pleading guilty to a speeding ticket!
October, 2009:
A few months after Mr. Sprowls’ client was arrested during the execution of a search warrant, Mr. Sprowls got the felony charges dismissed. The defendant had been found inside an apartment with prescription pills, marijuana, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia in the room next to where the defendant was standing. Mr. Sprowls used his extensive knowledge of search and seizure law and the facts of the case to convince the D.A. that the case could not be proven against his client and persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.
August, 2009:
The police arrested two boys and charged them with felony Criminal Mischief, claiming the boys had caused damage in excess of $500.00 to a local municipal park. The boys denied the charges. The end result? Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed in exchange for the boys’ promise each pay only $100.00. The moral of the story? Never accept the word of the police as truth -- they lie and exaggerate just as much as anyone else.
August, 2008
Two men were arrested and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Mr. Sprowls' client had just finished serving 22 years in state prison and was on parole.

Within five weeks of the defendant's arraignment, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and the defendant is a free man.
March, 2008:
A high school-aged boy and four of his friends were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. If convicted of the Burglary Charge as an adult, Mr. Sprowls’ client could have been sentenced to anywhere between 5 and 25 years in state prison. In October, 2008, after extensive investigation and interviews with witnesses, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and his client’s bright future remained intact.
February, 2008
Five people were arrested in a commercial establishment during the execution of a search warrant. The store was a "weed spot" and had been selling to a steady stream of customers for months.

Mr. Sprowls' client was in the common area of the store when the police entered and no marijuana was found on his person.

Within a month of his arrest, Mr. Sprowls got the case against his client dismissed.
December, 2007
Two men were arrested in the City of Newburgh and charged with multiple Class D Felonies, including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Mr. Sprowls' client had a lengthy criminal record going back over thirty years with a prior felony conviction. The D.A. was out for blood and insisted that the two men would go to state prison for these crimes.

Of course, Mr. Sprowls could represent only one of the defendants. After investigating the case and researching the applicable law, Mr. Sprowls advised his client to refuse all plea offers and to remain ready for trial.

The co-defendant was subsequently indicted and his case was transferred to County Court where he is looking at a state prison sentence.

Mr. Sprowls' client is now a free man. Because Mr. Sprowls knew the law and the facts of the case, all of the charges were dismissed and the defendant is home with his family.

Orange County, New York, Narcotic & Drug Paraphenalia Charges Lawyer

Newburgh Narcotics and Drug Paraphernalia

Raymond D. Sprowls, Attorney at Law | Drug Crimes | SEM