When you are faced with jail or prison time as a result of drug charges, an attorney who has regularly advised and represented clients in criminal drug law matters can help you to achieve a cost-effective and timely resolution. To learn more, contact our firm to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
What You Need to Know When Charged with a Drug Crime
Essential Information from the Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron
If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a drug crime, you may be uncertain as to what your rights are and what the potential consequences may be. When do you have to consent to a search of your property? Will you face jail or prison time? Can your property be taken under forfeiture laws?
At the Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron, in Sayville, New York, we represent individuals throughout Long Island in both Nassau County and Suffolk County who face drug charges. We offer extensive, hands-on experience in criminal matters. Attorney Cameron served as a prosecutor for four years before opening his practice and was an assistant in the Narcotic Trial Bureau. We have handled the defense of thousands of criminal cases.
To learn more about our drug crimes defense, see our page on drug sales and possession charges. For a free initial consultation, contact our office or call us at 631-319-3487 (toll-free at 888-816-9087). We accept Visa and MasterCard.
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At the Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron, we defend people throughout Suffolk County and Long Island who have been charged with drug crimes, including sales and possession. With experience in the prosecutors' office, we understand how the state investigates and prepares drug cases and will make certain your rights are protected. Contact our office to set up a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Have you been charged with possession of a controlled substance? Are you under investigation for drug trafficking, cultivation or manufacturing? Contact the Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron, in Sayville, New York, to set up a free initial consultation. We have handled criminal matters for over 15 years, serving four years in the prosecutors office before opening our own practice dedicated to protecting the rights of criminal defendants.
Alternatives to Incarceration in Drug Cases
Since the late 1980s, there has been a dramatic shift in the approach of the American justice system toward drug crimes. Drug courts, which operate or are being planned in all 50 states, offer an alternative to traditional incarceration. By providing a structure that emphasizes substance abuse treatment and on-going supervision, drug courts aim to rehabilitate and reduce repeat offenses. Consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney at Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron in Sayville, New York to learn about the range of alternatives to jail that may be available to you.
The Drug Court Model
The first drug court was established in Miami, Florida, in 1989. First developed as a way to relieve increased felony caseloads and overcrowded jails and prisons, the drug court movement has gained tremendous momentum throughout the United States. In the decades since then, drug courts now operate, or are being planned, in all 50 states.
Recognizing that incarceration alone has not been an effective solution to breaking the cycle of drug abuse and crime, the drug court model combines criminal justice and medical treatment approaches. Together, it is believed, these methods can help individuals break their dependence on drugs and ultimately take back control of their lives.
While the specific programs and methods used by individual drug courts vary, the emphasis is cooperation by all parties--the court, prosecution, defendant and treatment providers--to rehabilitate individuals with substance abuse problems who have been charged with a drug crime. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment (typically 12 months), counseling, frequent drug testing, and regular court appearances. Related social and educational services may also be part of the process. The progress of each participant is regularly monitored and evaluated, and on-going interaction with judges is a common feature.
While drug courts have tended to focus on low-level and first-time offenders, individuals with more severe substance abuse issues and criminal activity have increasingly come within the drug court's efforts as well.
Successful Outcomes
Participants who comply with drug court terms and conditions often have their sentences reduced or set aside, probation rescinded or charges dropped altogether. Depending on the particular drug court, approaches taken range from diversion to probation. In all cases, however, successful completion means an alternative to going to jail and the chance to break the cycle of addiction.
Learn About Your Options
Being charged with a drug crime, whether or not it is your first offense, does not necessarily have to end in a jail sentence. With the growing emphasis on substance abuse treatment and other non-traditional approaches in the justice system, you may have options. If you are facing a drug charge, call an attorney who is experienced in criminal defense at Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron in Sayville, New York for help in understanding the alternatives available to you.
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