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Faced 5+ Years in Prison

People Vs Joseph Amico

Covered by NYDaily News. Las Vegas man accused of threatening a prominent attorney and making vile remarks.

Faced 10+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Anna Sorokin

Covered by New York Times, and other outlets. Fake heiress accused of conning the city’s wealthy, and has an HBO special being made about her.

Faced 3+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Genevieve Sabourin

Accused of stalking Alec Baldwin. The case garnered nationwide attention, with USAToday, NYPost, and other media outlets following it closely.

Faced Potential Charges

Ghislaine Maxwell Juror

Juror who prompted calls for new Ghislaine Maxwell trial turns to lawyer who defended Anna Sorokin.

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Meet Todd Spodek

WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

We’re selective about the clients we work with, and only take on cases we know align with our experience – and where we can make a difference. This is different from other law firms who are not invested in your success nor care about your outcome.

If you have a legal issue, call us for a consultation.
We are available 24/7, to help you with any – and all, challenges you face.

Long Island Cocaine Possession Lawyer

By Spodek Law Group | July 27, 2023
(Last Updated On: October 12, 2023)

Last Updated on: 12th October 2023, 10:02 pm

Long Island Cocaine Possession Lawyer

At one time, cocaine was deemed a “party drug” for the wealthy. Cocaine was even believed not to be addictive, something everyone knows is inaccurate. Over the past several decades, opinions on cocaine have changed. Unlike marijuana laws, the state of New York has not softened possession laws for those caught with cocaine on their person.

Under federal law, cocaine remains a Schedule II drug and the penalties for illegal possession of street cocaine or crack can be severe. New York may have reduced its previously harsh sentencing laws, but in no way do the statutes allow anyone convicted of cocaine possession to get off easily.

Misdemeanor for Cocaine Possession

Small amounts of marijuana can be charged as non-traffic infractions under the category of violations. Such is not the case with cocaine. The lowest charge a person may face would be “criminal possession of controlled substance in the seventh degree.”

This particular statute is very broad and covers a lot of different drugs. As far as cocaine possession is concerned, anything less than 500 mg would fall under the category of a misdemeanor charge.

While a misdemeanor charge is less serious than a felony, misdemeanor charges should not be taken lightly. Once convicted of a misdemeanor, the charges remain on a person’s record for life. A skilled attorney could work not only at a not guilty verdict based on the circumstances of the case but could try and get the charged dismissed or withdrawn. Of course, those would be the best case scenarios.

This charge falls under the category of a Class A misdemeanor. The penalties for a conviction include a jail sentence of up to one year or three years probation. A maximum fine of $1,000 could be imposed. A defense attorney could negotiate penalties far less severe than the maximum depending on the case.

Those arrested for possession of 500 mg or more of cocaine end up in much direr legal jeopardy.

Felony Possession of Cocaine in New York

Once the amount of cocaine of a cocaine mixture reaches 500 mg and beyond, the levied charges are felonies. The more one has on his or her person, the more severe the charges become. And the words “cocaine mixture” should not be overlooked. The possession does not need to be pure cocaine or an overwhelming purity concentration. Even if a minute amount of cocaine is mixed with something intended to cut its purity, it is the total milligrams that count.

Again, the law in New York can be very strict against those who are arrested for possession of cocaine. Criminal possession of controlled substance in the fifth, fourth, and third degree are considered Class D, C, and B non-violent felonies. The maximum penalties for these three categories of felonies are 2.5, 5.5, and 9 years in prison respectively. The milligrams and ounces of cocaine determine the particular degree.

Once the amount of cocaine reaches four ounces, the charge becomes an A2 felony of second degree possession. The maximum sentence here would be 10 years. At eight ounces, the charge becomes an A1 felony of first degree possession. The maximum sentence may reach 20 years in prison.

A second conviction brings forth mandatory sentencing guidelines, making things even more difficult for the defendant.

Defense Issues to Consider

A talented defense lawyer can approach criminal proceedings in a number of different ways. An attorney could question whether probable cause truly existed when the defendant was searched and arrested. The issue of entrapment may come into play if the defendant was arrested as part of a sting. The evidence can be examined to determine if the weight/amount truly matches the charges being filed.

A case could potentially be thrown out of court depending on the nature of the arrest. Such would likely be the case if the police required a search warrant but did not have one or the officers engaged in entrapment.

The attorney for the defendant can also work towards a plea bargain agreement or, in the event of a guilty verdict, attempt to reduce the sentencing to a fair level. Previous convictions and other matters play a role in sentencing. A defense attorney could highlight a lack of prior trouble with the law or other mitigating circumstances.

Regardless of the situation, retaining the best defense counsel must be a defendant’s top priority.

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Testimonials

I was searching for a law firm with some power to help me deal with a warrant in New York . After 6 days I decided to go with Spodek Law Group. It helped that This law firm is well respected by not only the top law firms in New York , but the DA , Judge as well. I...

~Fonder Brandon

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It was my good fortune to retain Spodek Law Group for representation for my legal needs. From the beginning, communication was prompt and thorough. Todd, Kenneth and Alex were the first people I worked with and they all made me, and my company Qumana skincare feel comfortable and confident that the team was going to work hard for me. Everything...

~A G

5 Stars
After meeting with several law firms, I chose the Spodek Law Group not only for their professionalism and experience, but for the personal attention given to me right from the initial consultation. It is important to recognize how crucial having the right legal team is when faced with potentially life altering events that impact families and the lives of loved...

~George Cherubini

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