Articles Posted in New York City

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Around 1985, a detective in plain-clothes and an unmarked car was working a known drug area in Queens when he and his partner saw a transaction that they believed was drug related. A New York Drug Crime Lawyer said they saw one man approach another and hand him money. The other man produced a three by five inch brown envelope and the first man took it in exchange for the money. The officers believed that it was a drug transaction based on the fact that the bags were the size, shape, and description of units called, “three dollar bags” that are often used for drug crimes.

The two officers got out of their car and approached the two men. They identified themselves as police and the two men took flight. A short foot chase ensued in which the defendant threw his hat off and then threw something black into some bushes. A New York Drug Possession Lawyer said one officer retrieved the two items, at which time he discovered that the black item was a handgun. The defendant stopped running and was taken into custody and placed under arrest. Upon checking the operability of the weapon, it was discovered that it was a fully loaded nine-millimeter pistol that was also functional.

The defendant was convicted of drug crime and criminal possession of a weapon. He promptly filed an appeal. His claim is that the officer’s initial stop was investigatory. As such, the officers would have to show reasonable suspicion that a crime is, had, or was about to be committed and that the defendant was one of them. A Nassau County Drug Possession Lawyer said that he contends that the mere passing of an envelope from one person to another on a public street was no implication of a criminal enterprise. He also stated that when he ran, they had no right to chase him because he was only exercising his constitutional right to leave without answering questions.

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On 22 November 2006, defendant stood accused, by felony complaint filed, of criminal possession of marijuana in the first degree, a class C felony (drug crime); on account of an incident that occurred on 21 November 2006. At his 22 November 2006 arraignment, the court conditionally released defendant, to the supervision of the Department of Probation, and adjourned the case to Part 9, which thereafter transferred the case to County Court. On 25 January 2007, the case was returned to Part 9 of the herein court, and adjourned to 20 March 2007. On 20 March 2007, the court revoked defendant’s conditional release status, evidently because of his failure to participate in therapy as directed by the Department of Probation, and because of his arrest on 18 February 2007 for assault in the third degree. The court fixed bail at $25,000 bond, $15,000 cash and adjourned the case for three days, to 23 March 2007, for disposition. Defendant did not post bail.

A New York Drug Crime Lawyer said according to the transcript of a joint plea proceeding conducted on 23 March 2007, another individual was arrested with defendant, also for felony possession of marijuana on account of the incident on 21 November 2006, and both defendant and the other individual were represented from the outset by a lawyer. During the course of the single plea proceeding conducted on 23 March 2007, the court converted the felony complaint pending against defendant, and the felony complaint pending against the other individual, to accuse each of misdemeanor possession of marijuana. No supporting deposition demonstrating that scientific tests were performed on the substance forming the basis of the prosecution is annexed to the converted document, designated as a misdemeanor complaint, has been filed against defendant. Moreover, by the factual part of the document, the complainant attests only that defendant “possessed” more than 10 pounds of a “greenish brown leafy substance believed to be marijuana,” and that “the arresting detective who recovered the evidence believes the substance to be marijuana based on his years of training as a police officer and detective, its appearance, color, odor and texture and its packaging which is commonly used by drug dealers. But while the other individual pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct, defendant pleaded guilty to violating the Penal Law of possessing more than two ounces of marijuana, the crime of which he then stood accused. The court sentenced each to a conditional discharge and the maximum fine permissible for the offense to which each pleaded guilty.

Neither defendant nor the other individual waived the right to be prosecuted by information when arraigned on the converted accusatory instruments immediately before entering their pleas of guilty. A New York Drug Possession Lawyer said during the course of the joint plea allocution, the court asked defendant and the other individual if they consented to one attorney representing both of them. Each answered “yes.” The court then asked if there is no conflict of interest in any way. Each responded “no.” When both were asked if they had discussed the case with their attorney before pleading guilty, each answered “yes”. Following questioning about educational background and mental status, defendant stated he has a fifth grade education; the other completed high school. The court asked defendant if he understood that he was pleading guilty to a crime, that he would have a criminal record, and that the crime is punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine, or a combination of both, and the defendant responded “yes.” Defendant also answered “yes” when the court asked if he understood that, by pleading guilty, he was also waiving his right to a trial and his right to appeal. Oddly, when the court asked “do you wish to plead guilty to a crime,” defendant and the other individual each answered “yes.” Ultimately, defendant admitted that on 21 November 2006, he possessed marijuana, the weight of which was not specified. A Nassau County Drug Possession Lawyer said the other individual admitted that he behaved in a disorderly manner on that date. As noted, the court sentenced each to a conditional discharge and a fine. Other than noting his appearance, joining in the People’s application to reduce the charge, waiving a reading of the new charge, and, at the conclusion of the proceeding, addressing defendant’s bail status, defendant’s counsel (for the plea) stated nothing on the record. Included in the court file is a certificate of relief from civil disabilities, based on an application defendant made on 6 November 2008, by which he specifically sought a certificate that will relieve him from any bars that would prevent him from traveling.

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A pharmacist was waiting in the parking lot of a gas station in Plainview when detectives overheard him having a conversation on his cell phone. The conversation was about a drug sale he was about to make. The detectives watched as 53 year old Syosset resident Robert Ciskanik sold narcotics out of his car. They then arrested Ciskanik and Hosam Karin, a 57 year old Freeport resident. Ciskanik was found to have over 400 oxycodone pills on his person. Karin had 15 Cialis pills on his person. While police were arresting the two men, another car pulled into the Old Country Road gas station. The passenger of the car walked over to Ciskanik’s car looking for him. The man, Michael Lulo of Nesconset, was found to have more than $17,000.00 cash on him as well as oxycodone and methadone. He was also put under arrest. Reports state that Ciskanik was licensed in New York State as a pharmacist but do not release where he was employed. According to a NY Criminal Lawyer, Ciskanik was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a narcotic and criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was held on $100,000.00 bail. Lulo was charged with criminal possession of a narcotic and conspiracy. He was released on $6,000.00 bail. Karin was given a desk appearance ticket (DAT). All three men will be arraigned at Nassau County First District Court; located at 99 Main Street, Hempstead NY 11550. Drug Possession is treated very seriously in New York City and Westchester County.

If your or a family member is facing a criminal charge of possession or sale of a controlled substance, you will need a knowledgeable Nassau County Possession of a Narcotic Lawyer to help you defend these serious charges. New York Criminal Lawyers understand the trauma an arrest like this will have on your family and your life. The Office of Stephen Bilkis and Associates can offer you support and guidance as well as a free consultation when you contact us at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW. We have offices in New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx and in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.

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According to a New York Criminal Lawyer, a Chief Deputy District Attorney was arrested and accused of possession of rock cocaine in Las Vegas. Drug Possession in New York City or Long Island are serious crimes with huge penalties for the offender.

The 10-year veteran was working on a task force and handled celebrity drug scandals including busts of Paris Hilton and Bruno Mars. He could not be reached for comment regarding this matter. This would also be a very serious matter in Brooklyn, NY.

A District Attorney in the area revealed that in going over the defendant’s cases, he was relieved that there had been no wrongful prosecutions, explaining that everything checked out in the system and there should be no concern that the Deputy Chief had access to the drugs that were supposed to be evidence.

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