Kushner | Law Group PLLC
Kushner | Law Group PLLC
Kushner | Law Group PLLC

Vigorous Advocates Fighting For Your Rights

Defense For Criminal Sale Of A Controlled Substance In The First Degree

Penal Law § 220.43 Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree is a very serious New York felony. New York has a reputation for tough prosecution and enforcement of drug crimes and the District Attorney’s Offices are very aggressive in the way they investigate and prosecute individuals charged with Penal Law §220.43 crimes.

If you have been charged with violating Penal Law § 220.43 Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree call the Kushner Law Group, PLLC, now so we can guide and protect you during this prosecutorial ordeal.

New York Penal Law §220.44 Explained

It’s important to remember that the presumption, underlying New York Penal Law §220.43 Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, is that large amounts of illegal drugs found on defendants are presumed to be for sale and not for personal use. When a defendant is charged with violating Penal Law § 220.43, the District Attorney’s Office will attempt to prove that the defendant knowingly and unlawfully sold one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances of an aggregate weight of 2 ounces or more:

1. Two ounces or more of a narcotic; or
2. Two thousand eight hundred eighty milligrams or more of methadone.

To learn more detail regarding the above, please go to http://www.nycourts.gov/judges/cji/2-PenalLaw/220/art220hp.shtml

It is also important to note that within the law, the meaning of “sell” in essence is an offer / agreement to sell even if the actual delivery of the banned narcotic did not occur. Intent is important because to be found guilty, the defendant has to have had the intent and ability to sell at the time of making the offer / agreement.

Thus, “An intent is a conscious objective or purpose. Thus, a person acts with intent to sell when that person’s conscious objective or purpose is to sell.” See Penal Law § 220.00(1); People v. Samuels, 99 N.Y.2d 20 (2002). Furthermore, a person unlawfully sells a banned narcotic when that individual doesn’t have the legal right to sell that substance.

Possible Defenses To A NY Penal Law § 220.43 Violation

The government has many resources at their disposal to prosecute criminal drug cases, however, there are some defenses by which a defendant may challenge the government’s case. The defendant can argue:

3. Lack of Probable Cause: When the police conducts a search of a person, apartment, office or a car, the police are required to have probable cause to conduct the search. This means that the police must have reason to believe that the defendant committed a crime or violated a law to have probable cause. For example, a policeman sees an illegal drug sale in progress. If the methods used by the police to conduct the search violated the defendant’s rights or if a condition of probable cause was not met than the evidence obtained may be excluded from the prosecution’s case against the defendant.

4. The defense can attempt to prove that the amount and or quantity of the drugs found does not meet the required minimum under the §220.43

Sentencing For NY Penal Law § 220.43 Violation

There are a number of factors a judge will take into consideration when determining what applicable sentence will be applied to a defendant. The factors are:

1. The defendant’s personal background and history
2. Criminal history or lack of one
3. The details of the crimes

For example, Penal Law § 220.43 Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree is a Class A-I felony. It is possible that a defendant:

1. Who is convicted of § 220.43 may receive a minimum of 15 to 40 years in prison.
2. Who is convicted of § 220.43 may receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Take Action Quickly Following An Arrest

The Kushner Law Group has a respected reputation for the highest quality defense for allegations of complicated drug violations. We are tenacious about protecting the rights of our clients. We are known for our ability to win successful results for our clients in New York State and the Federal courts. Contact us for guidance through the prosecutorial process if you have been charged with violating Penal Law § 220.43 Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. Call 718-838-9341 or send us an email now for a free consultation.