(516) 972-1212

Attorney for Drug Crimes in Nassau County, NY

Stephanie Selloni is a criminal defense attorney in Garden City, Nassau County in Long island, NY, who represents clients on a wide variety of serious drug charges. She fights aggressively to protect her clients at every stage of the case. The District Attorney’s Office in Nassau County often seeks harsh penalties for offenses involving narcotics. 

Nassau County has several programs for first-time offenders or individuals with special needs including drug treatment court, veteran’s court, felony diversion court, the S.T.E.P program, and other chemical dependency programs. As many people know, entering one of these programs is not always the best solution.

Success in fighting drug charges often comes through preparation and an aggressive approach to the defense. Filing all viable motions to suppress or exclude evidence, as well as motions to dismiss the criminal charges, often puts the case on the best track for pre-trial negotiations. In the event pre-trial, negotiates do not lead to the best outcome, Stephanie Selloni is experienced in fighting drug cases with motion practice, hearings and at trial. If you are facing drug charges in and around Garden City, Hempstead, Mineola, Westbury, Floral Park, or the surrounding areas in Nassau County, call Law Office of Stephanie Selloni at (516) 972-1212 today to set up a consultation

In many of these cases, the prosecutor is not willing to offer the best possible deal until it becomes clear that the criminal defense attorney is prepared to win a motion hearing or the entire case at trial. Drug crime cases often involve complicated motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges. Let Attorney Stephanie Selloni put her experience in fighting serious drug cases to work for you. Call (516) 972-1212 today to discuss your case either over the phone or in the office.


Nassau County Drug Charges Information Center


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Types of Drug Crimes

The term controlled substances include both narcotic drugs and stimulants. We represent individuals charged with different types of drug charges including: 

  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession with Intent to Sell a Controlled Substance;
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance; 
  • Intent to Sell a Narcotic Drug;
  • Use of a Child to Commit a Controlled Substance Offense;
  • Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance;
  • Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance near a school grounds; 
  • Criminal Possession of a hypodermic instrument;
  • Criminal injunction of a narcotic drug;
  • Criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child;
  • Criminally using drug paraphernalia;
  • Criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance; 
  • Operating as a Major Trafficker;
  • Charges involving MDMA;
  • Profiteer Sale; and
  • Profiteer Possession.

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Penalties for Crimes Involving Controlled Substances

Penalties for cases involving the possession of controlled substances or illegal drugs can depend on a variety of factors including: 

  • the type of controlled substance found; 
  • the amount of the drugs found; 
  • whether the person had the intent to sell the drugs;
  • the statements made by the accused; 
  • whether the drugs were actually sold to a confidential informant or undercover officer;
  • whether any firearm or other weapons were found or used during a drug transaction;  and
  • the criminal record of the person accused including any prior drug convictions.

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Different Types of Defenses in Drug Cases

When deciding the best way to fight the criminal charges, your attorney will explore a wide variety of potential defenses that can include:

  • moving to suppress evidence due to an illegal stop, search, seizure or detention that lead to the discovery of the narcotics;
  • moving to suppress evidence illegally obtained after the execution of an arrest or search warrant;
  • a lack of evidence that the defendant actually or constructively possessed the controlled substances;
  • the defendant was entrapped by a confidential informant or an undercover officer;
  • the defendant was acting out of necessity or under duress; or
  • a showing that the defendant did not know of the illicit nature of the substance in his possession.

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Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia

In many cases involving the sell or possession of chemical or controlled substances, the arresting officer will also include a charge of criminally using drug paraphernalia. The charge of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor. Several different subsections address the possession of different types of drug paraphernalia including:

  • Diluents, Dilutants or Adulterants under Penal Law 220.50(1) – Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia under this subsection means that the person knowingly possesses or sells diluents, dilutants or adulterants. The charge requires that the chemicals were adapted for the dilution of narcotic drugs or stimulants, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or under circumstances evincing knowledge that some person intends to use, the same for purposes of unlawfully mixing, compounding, or otherwise preparing any narcotic drug or stimulant such as: 
    • quinine hydrochloride, 
    • mannitol,
    • mannite, 
    • lactose or 
    • dextrose.
  • Material Suitable for Packaging under Penal Law 220.50(2) – Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia under this subsection means that the person knowingly possesses or sells certain materials suitable for the packaging of individual quantities of narcotic drugs or stimulants, The circumstances of the possession must show an intent to use or under circumstances evincing knowledge that some person intends to use the same for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, packaging or dispensing of any narcotic drug or stimulant. Under this subsection, the paraphernalia items include: 
    • gelatine capsules, 
    • glassine envelopes, 
    • vials, or
    • capsules.
  • Scales and Balances under Penal Law 220.50(3) – Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia under this subsection means that the person knowingly possesses or sells scales and balances used or designed for the purpose of weighing or measuring controlled substances, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or under circumstances evincing knowledge that some person intends to use the same for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, packaging or dispensing of any narcotic drug or stimulant.

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Drug Treatment Court in Nassau County, New York

The term “drug court” refers to various programs in the criminal justice system aimed at addressing substance abuse problems after a person has been arrested and while criminal charges are pending. In Nassau County, New York. A number of different types of programs exist. These programs are collectively known as the “The Chemical Dependency Court Services” (Drug Court) in Nassau County, NY. Chemical Dependency Court Services manages several different programs including:

  • drug treatment court;
  • felony diversion court, drug court;
  • veterans treatment court; and
  • the S.T.E.P. program.

The various programs each have a different focus and each has different eligibility requirements. Just because you are eligible for a drug court program does not mean that entering the program is the best possible solution under the facts of your particular case.

Entering a program should not be taken lightly. If you are innocent of the underlying charge, if insufficient evidence exists to prove the charge or if the drugs were found as a result of an illegal search or seizure, then you should talk with a criminal defense attorney about your case before taking any action. 


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Finding a Drug Crime Attorney for Nassau County

If you have been accused of a serious felony drug crime, call an experienced drug crimes defense attorney in Nassau County, Long Island, with the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni to discuss your case. Hiring an attorney as early as possible in the case often leads to the best results. Consult with a dedicated drug crimes defense attorney with experience fighting drug cases across Long Island.

We represent clients in Hempstead, Floral Park, Westbury, Garden City and  Mineola and the surrounding areas in Long Island who are facing drug related charges.  Call us today at Law Office of Stephanie Selloni at (516) 972-1212 to schedule a consultation that will allow us to give you an accurate assessment of you legal options.