Drug Charge Defense Attorney in Westchester County
Strategic defense for drug possession, sales, and trafficking charges
Understanding What’s at Stake
Drug charges in New York carry consequences far beyond potential incarceration. A conviction can impact professional licenses, housing opportunities, educational funding, and immigration status. Even minor possession charges can create a permanent criminal record affecting your future employment prospects. With proper legal representation, many cases can be resolved through treatment court alternatives, charge reduction, or dismissal when evidence is improperly obtained.
Experience matters.
As a former prosecutor, Courney McGowan brings unique perspective to drug defense cases. She understands prosecution strategies, evidence evaluation standards, and negotiation priorities from both sides.
This insight, combined with extensive defense experience throughout Westchester County courts, allows for defense approaches tailored to each jurisdiction’s specific practice and tendencies.
Building Your Defense
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Constitutional Rights Protection
Drug cases often hinge on search and seizure issues. We thoroughly examine whether police had proper grounds for stopping you, searching your person or property, or obtaining warrants. Constitutional violations can lead to evidence suppression, significantly weakening the prosecution’s case.
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Evidence Analysis and Challenges
From laboratory testing procedures to chain of custody documentation, we scrutinize all evidence for inconsistencies and procedural errors. Questions about drug weight, purity testing, and forensic methods can create reasonable doubt or lead to reduced charges.
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Negotiation Strategies
Many drug cases resolve through strategic negotiation. By leveraging case weaknesses, personal circumstances, and available diversion programs, we work to secure the most favorable outcome - whether that’s reduced charges, minimal sentencing, or alternative resolution paths that avoid conviction entirely.
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Trial Defense Approach
When trial becomes necessary, our courtroom experience becomes invaluable. We construct compelling narratives challenging police testimony, questioning evidence reliability, and humanizing your situation to judges and juries, always protecting your presumption of innocence.
FAQs
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Simple possession charges typically involve smaller quantities presumed for personal use, while intent to sell charges involve factors like quantity, packaging, cash, scales, or communications suggesting distribution. The difference is significant; possession can be misdemeanor while sales charges are felonies with mandatory minimum sentences. We may be able to challenge these enhanced charges by contesting the circumstantial evidence prosecutors use to allege intent to sell.
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Yes. Evidence obtained through illegal searches, stops without reasonable suspicion, or warrants lacking probably cause can be suppressed through pretrial motions and hearings. Once evidence is suppressed, prosecutors often cannot proceed with their case. Our defense always begins with thorough examination of how evidence was obtained and whether your constitutional rights were respected throughout the process.
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New York’s sentencing structure for drug offenses depends on drug type, weight, and criminal history. We will work with you to obtain the best result based on your circumstances.
Drug charges demand experienced defense.
Contact Courtney McGowan Law today for a confidential evaluation of your case and learn about your defense options.