Drug Possession

New York Drug Possession Attorneys

As former prosecutors working in the Office of the Bronx County District Attorney, we handled thousands of cases pertaining to drug possession and drug sale charges. From this experience we gained a thorough understanding of how prosecutors prepare and pursue drug cases. Most importantly, we also learned how weak some drug charges can actually be.

At Mangialardi & Berardino, our drug crimes defense philosophy is simple: we believe in aggressively defending our clients’ rights and freedom with all available legal tools. We are prepared to challenge all aspects of the prosecution’s case, including the circumstances of the arrest and search, the amount and nature of the evidence, and the procedures used before, during, and after the arrest. In every case, our aim is to obtain the best possible result for our client.

We defend clients throughout the New York City metropolitan area who are accused of all types of drug crimes, including:

• Possession of all types of drugs – marijuana, hashish, cocaine, heroin, pills, barbiturates, ecstasy, methamphetamines, and other controlled substances
• Possession of drugs with intent to distribute and narcotics sales
• Manufacture of methamphetamines and other drug laboratory charges
• Prescription drug fraud
• Recovery of forfeited property

Drug possession charges

In New York, there are unexpected ways an average person could be charged with drug possession, even if they are not in actual possession of any drugs. Drug possession charges may include:

• Constructive possession: If you are found to be in the dominion or control of drugs near to you, or in area over which you exercise control, such as your apartment or car, you could be considered to have "constructive possession" of these drugs.
• Presumptive possession: If you are with other people in a car or an apartment, and the police find drugs, under certain circumstances, you and the people with you, could all be presumptively charged with the possession of these drugs.

In all controlled substance cases, the drug evidence and its discovery is often critical, as what may seem to be acceptable police behavior can actually be an illegal search. In fact, if the drug evidence is seized as the result of an illegal search, the evidence could be suppressed. As skilled and knowledgeable drug crimes defense lawyers and former prosecutors, we have a thorough understanding of the laws of evidence as they relate to drug charges.

If you have been charged with drug possession in the New York City area, contact Mangialardi & Berardino, as soon as possible, at 914-686-1041 or 212-983-5677. We believe in defending your rights and your freedom.

Learn More:

Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

Drug Crimes Information Center