New Drug Sentencing Laws

New Drug Sentencing Laws • Hudson Valley, New York Attorney

Rockefeller drug laws in the past were harsh. For three decades, New York drug laws were unforgiving against convicted drug offenders. Since then, the legislature has moved towards reform, softening drug laws and leaving more room for the mitigation of charges and penalties in drug crimes cases.

Even though new sentencing laws give defendants more rights, aggressive advocacy is still necessary to mitigate the penalties of a criminal drug charge. To begin building your defense, contact me to speak with an experienced attorney you can trust.

Even though a defendant may not face mandatory state prison, the penalties are still severe. Competent and experienced legal counsel is needed to fight for your rights. As an experienced New York attorney, I have worked both as a prosecutor and as a criminal defense attorney. I offer strategy, aggressive advocacy and result-driven legal representation to clients facing serious penalties under new drug sentencing laws in New York State.

Any drug offense should be taken very seriously. Your rights and your liberty are at risk. When facing drug charges, you need an experienced attorney who can offer strategy, knowledge and a record of results. Your charges and resulting sentence are not cut and dry. An experienced attorney will know what alternative sentencing programs are available and how to most effectively resolve your case. Based on your record, I may be able to get you into a rehabilitation program and get your sentence reduced.

Only an experienced drug crimes defense lawyer knows the ins and outs of the new drug sentencing laws in New York. I can explore your options and sentencing alternatives for the best results possible. Contact me as soon as possible for a free consultation regarding your defense.

If you are seeking defense counsel for drug possession or you are facing criminal charges related to marijuana possession and sales, marijuana growing operations, narcotics, prescription drugs, or paraphernalia, I have the experience, strategy and diligence to fight for your legal rights and vigorously challenge your charges.

Contact the Law Office of Raymond D. Sprowls for a free consultation. I offer strategic, intelligent and aggressive advocacy focused on your rights. Call my Newburgh, New York office today for more information on new drug sentencing laws in New York.

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.