A criminal conviction for any offense can send a ripple of negative effects throughout one’s life. For many convicted individuals, this means being slapped with jail or prison time that can rip them from their loved ones, fines that can throw their finances into upheaval, and a mark on their criminal record that can affect their employment and living prospects far into the future. In other words, when accused of a crime, New Yorkers have a lot on the line.
This may be especially true for those who are accused of drug crimes, including those that involve marijuana. Even something like simple possession of marijuana can result in jail time and fines. Those who are convicted of either possessing excessive amounts of drugs or possessing with the intent to distribute could be hit with the harshest of penalties that can send them away for decades.
Many drug cases are built around physical and testimonial evidence gathered by law enforcement officials. Although the amount of evidence used against a criminal defendant may seem overwhelming, a competent criminal defense team, like the one at the Law Office of James L Riotto, know how to fight back. We know how to spot prosecutorial weaknesses, which may include improper searches and seizures, and can exploit them in hopes of getting evidenced suppressed. Additionally, we know how to cross-examine witnesses in a way that can draw their credibility into question, which could help raise reasonable doubt.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to criminal defense. Depending on the charges levied and the facts at hand, it may be wise for some individuals to negotiate a plea deal, while others may be better off taking their case to trial. Our team is able to give those facing criminal charges a clear sense of their case and the likelihood of prevailing at trial. Then, once our clients are armed with all the information they can gather, we help them craft strong legal strategies that seek to protect their futures.