Mark J. Sacco PLLC

Facing criminal charges is a frightening experience. Even if you think you've done nothing wrong, trying to talk your way out of a difficult situation with the police can only make things worse. Whether you are accused of drunk driving, fraud or smuggling illegal aliens, talk to a skilled New York criminal defense attorney immediately.

Aggressive New York Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal Diversion

New York Criminal Diversion Attorney

New York Attorney Helping Find Alternatives to Incarceration

In April of 2009, the Governor David Paterson of New York signed into law reforms that sought to correct undesirable results of the harsh “Rockefeller” drug laws passed in 1973. The 1973 laws mandated very harsh mandatory minimum prison terms for people convicted of possession or sale of small amounts of drugs, resulting in overcrowding of prisons with people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes. By 2008, 14,000 people were in prison serving mandatory minimum sentences for alleged drug crimes involving both street drugs and prescription drugs.

The Rockefeller laws did not allow judges to take into account unique or individual circumstances. They did not allow judges to divert drug users into community-based programs such as drug abuse rehabilitation — believed by many to be more effective than prison at reducing drug use and abuse, more humane and much less costly to taxpayers.

A New Landscape of Criminal Diversion in Drug Crime Cases

The 2009 laws have created a new landscape for criminal justice, drug abuse reduction and prison reform. Now judges can send addicts to mandated criminal diversions, such as treatment programs in lieu of prison terms, or along with prison terms. The state’s turn-around has provided extensive new investments in drug treatment, alternatives to incarceration and re-entry services.

With more room for negotiation with judges in drug crime cases, it is important to seek legal counsel from a knowledgeable attorney with in-depth knowledge of all the options — a lawyer who knows how to leverage that knowledge on behalf of represented clients. Learn about successful outcomes that other clients of the Law Office of Mark J. Sacco have obtained by following this link.

Drug Crime Charges and Criminal Diversion

Contact New York Criminal Diversion Lawyer Mark J. Sacco

The cost of hiring the wrong lawyer can compromise the rest of your life. Discuss the possible criminal diversion alternatives to jail or prison that may be available in your case if you are convicted of prescription drug fraud, marijuana possession, offenses related to drug paraphernalia; unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, or any drug crime. To schedule a consultation with a lawyer at our Albany or Schenectady, New York, law office, call 518-380-6005 or contact us online.

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