Brooklyn Drug Crimes Lawyer

Drug arrests in Brooklyn run the spectrum from low level possession misdemeanors to A-I felonies carrying 8 to 20 years in state prison. Spahija Law defends clients charged across the full range of New York Penal Law Article 220 for controlled substances and Article 221 for marijuana. As a former Kings County prosecutor, Amel Spahija knows how the District Attorney builds narcotics cases and the suppression and motion practice that takes them apart. If you are facing this charge in Brooklyn, call 646-453-4001 for a free, confidential consultation, available 24 hours a day.

Brooklyn Drug Charges We Defend

The charge depends on the substance, the weight, and whether the prosecution claims intent to sell:

PL §220.03, CPCS 7th Degree: Class A misdemeanor. Any quantity of a controlled substance.
PL §220.06, CPCS 5th Degree: Class D felony.
PL §220.09, CPCS 4th Degree: Class C felony.
PL §220.16, CPCS 3rd Degree: Class B felony, possession with intent to sell.
PL §220.18 and §220.21, CPCS 2nd and 1st Degree: A-II and A-I felonies with mandatory state prison.
PL §220.31 through §220.43: criminal sale of a controlled substance in multiple degrees.
Article 221: marijuana offenses. Adult use is legal under the MRTA, but unlicensed sale and large quantities remain criminal.

What Is at Stake

Felony drug convictions carry determinate prison terms, mandatory minimums at the highest levels, asset forfeiture exposure, and severe immigration consequences for non citizens. Even a misdemeanor conviction can affect employment, housing, student aid, and professional licenses.

Defenses to Brooklyn Drug Charges

Illegal stop and search. NYPD street stops in Brooklyn are routinely challenged and suppressed. If the drugs are suppressed, the case usually ends.
Defective search warrants. We audit every warrant for probable cause defects, staleness, scope issues, and execution problems.
Lack of possession. Constructive possession requires more than presence near drugs. We dismantle claims of dominion and control.
Chain of custody. Drugs must be logged, sealed, tested, and produced. Breaks in the chain create reasonable doubt.
Lab challenges. Testing protocols, instrument calibration, and analyst credentials are all fair game.
Informant credibility. Many sale cases rest on confidential informants whose deals, payments, and motives must be exposed.

What Happens After the Arrest

Misdemeanor drug cases are arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court at 120 Schermerhorn Street. Felonies move to Kings County Supreme Court at 320 Jay Street after indictment. We file omnibus motions covering Mapp and Dunaway for search and seizure, Huntley for statements, and Wade for identification, pushing every angle that can suppress evidence before trial ever becomes necessary.

Related Charges We Defend

Brooklyn cases rarely involve a single charge. Prosecutors stack counts, and this one often travels with weapons charges, federal charges and desk appearance tickets. When a case carries several counts, the defense has to answer all of them at once rather than one at a time. You can see every charge we defend in Brooklyn or read how felony and misdemeanor levels differ.

Why a Former Prosecutor Matters

As a former Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn and Staten Island, Amel Spahija evaluated cases exactly like yours from the other side of the table. He knows how the DA's office weighs the evidence, when it reduces charges, and where its cases break. Read about the former prosecutor advantage, then see our recent Brooklyn case results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between possession and intent to sell?

Possession with intent to sell under PL 220.16 is charged when quantity, packaging, cash, or scales suggest distribution. It is a felony even at small weights for certain substances.

Is marijuana still illegal in Brooklyn?

Adult use marijuana is legal in New York under the MRTA, but unlicensed sale, sale to minors, and very large quantities remain criminal. Charges still happen around delivery operations and unlicensed storefronts.

What is a Mapp hearing?

A pretrial hearing to suppress physical evidence obtained through an unconstitutional search. Winning a Mapp hearing in a drug case usually ends the prosecution.

Will a drug conviction affect my immigration status?

Yes, drug convictions trigger some of the harshest immigration consequences in the law. We coordinate every plea with immigration counsel to avoid removal triggers.

Free Consultation

The earlier we get involved, the more options exist. Call 646-453-4001 for a free consultation with a Brooklyn criminal defense lawyer, or book 30 minutes with Amel directly.