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Fentanyl Possession

In New York, as in many other states, the possession, distribution, and trafficking of fentanyl are regulated by both state and federal laws. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than other opioids like heroin and morphine. Its illegal use has contributed to a public health crisis, and law enforcement agencies are actively working to combat its spread.

Fentanyl was first approved for medical use in 1968, but by 2015 it was considered the most widely used synthetic opioid in medicine. Although the medicine has alleviated a lot of suffering for patients over the years, it’s also become a major component of the current U.S. opioid crisis. It was recorded in 2016 that fentanyl and analogues were the most common cause of overdose deaths. The majority of these deaths were due to illegally made fentanyl.

Fentanyl Possession Lawyer in Nassau County, New York

New York, and the United States, take fentanyl possession and distribution extremely seriously. If you or a loved one have been accused of possessing or controlling fentanyl, it’s important to contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Nassau County, NY. Fentanyl can pose a great threat to everything that is important to you. In addition to affecting your family, these accusations could result in a conviction including imprisonment and significant fines. To receive aggressive legal counsel, contact the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni.

Defense lawyer Stephanie Selloni at the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni has the experience and knowledge needed to fight your accusations. To schedule your first consultation, call (516) 972-1212 now.

The Law Office of Stephanie Selloni represents Long Island clients in Garden City, Riverstead, Mineola, and other communities across Nassau and Suffolk County.

Fentanyl Possession in New York

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What is Fentanyl

Fentanyl is an opioid commonly used as a type of pain medication and in some cases with other medications such as anesthesia. As a recreational drug, fentanyl is often mixed with other controlled substances such as cocaine or heroin. It’s common for users to purchase heroin and be completely unaware it’s cut with fentanyl. The effects of the drugs are nearly automatic and generally last less than two hours. Fentanyl is also considered one of the most powerful synthetic opioids available as it’s determined to be 80-100 times stronger than morphine.
Listed below are some street names used for the substance fentanyl.

  • China Girl
  • China White
  • China Town
  • Dance Fever
  • Great Bear
  • He-Man
  • Poison
  • Tango
  • Cash
  • Apace

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What is the Opioid Crisis in the U.S.?

Fentanyl is quickly growing to become one of the most common types of synthetic opioids used by Americans. There are, however, many types of prescription opioid substances that are trafficked on the streets such as Oxycodone or Codeine. Unfortunately, most prescription opioid users become addicted after receiving the drug as a medication first. Usually for something pain-related such as chronic back pain from a car accident.
It’s common for patients to become drug addicts after receiving a prescription for a pain-relieving opioid. The addiction stems from prescribed patients overusing once they become tolerant to the prescribed opioid’s effects. After their doctor cuts them off, some of these prescribed patients turn to the streets to acquire the drugs they need. This whirlwind of circumstances has happened to hundreds of thousands of Americans as the opioid crisis continues to prey upon new victims each day.
Some examples of other prescription opioids include:

  • Oxycodone (OxyContin)
  • Oxymorphone (Opana)
  • Methadone
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
  • Morphine (Kadian, Avinza)
  • Percocet
  • Codeine

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Penalties for Fentanyl Possession in New York

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree | N.Y. Pen. Law § 220.03 – Class A Misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors carry penalties of up to 1 year in jail and a fine in the amount of $1,000 fine or double what the defendant gained from the crime.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree | N.Y. Pen. Law § 220.06 – Class D Felony. Class D felonies carry with them a possibility of 0-7 years in prison.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree | N.Y. Pen. Law § 220.09 – Class C felony. Class C felonies are punishable by 0-15 years in prison.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree| N.Y. Pen. Law § 220.16 – It is a Class B felony. Class B felonies are punishable by 5-25 years in prison.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree| N.Y. Pen. Law § 220.18 – It is a Class A-II felony. Class A felonies are punishable by up to life in prison.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree| N.Y. Pen. Law § 220.21 – It is a Class A-I felony. Class A felonies are punishable by up to life in prison.
Additionally, 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 sold to a confidential informant or undercover officer
  • whether any firearm or other weapons were found or used during a drug transaction
  • the criminal record of the person accused including any prior drug convictions

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
  • 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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Additional Resources


Narcotics (Opioids) Information– Visit the official website of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to learn more about opioids, their effects, and the penalties for possessing or selling them. Access the site to learn the origins of opioids, drug fact sheets for certain opioids, opioid-related statistics, and more.
Drug Possession Laws in TX– Visit the official website for the current Penal Code to learn more about drug crimes in the state of Texas. Access the site to learn the consequences of possession, manufacturing, or trafficking of opioids. Find more information on penalty groups, other controlled substances, and possible admissible defenses to the crime.

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Hire a Fentanyl Possession Attorney in Nassau County, New York

If you or someone you know has been arrested for endangering the welfare of a child, contact the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni. The legal team at the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni has defended countless New York residents and visitors over the years who were worried about losing not only their freedom but their reputation in the community. Nassau County criminal defense attorney Stephanie Selloni at the Law Office of Stephanie Selloni can help you find the best possible strategy to fight the charges and clear your name.

To schedule your first consultation, call (516) 972-1212 today. The Law Office of Stephanie Selloni represents clients from Garden City, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, or anywhere else in Nassau County or Suffolk County.

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