Common Desk Appearance Tickets from JFK Airport include 1) shoplifting offenses (Petit Larceny – PL 155.25, a Class A misdemeanor) at the JFK retail shops or duty-free stores, 2) misdemeanor possession of controlled substances (PL 220.03), 3) misdemeanor possession of a weapon, such as a knife or collapsable baton or brass knuckles (PL 265.01), 4) theft of services, such as failing to pay a bar or restaurant tab (PL 165.15), and 5) assault (PL 120.00, a Class A misdemeanor). However, there are many other possible offenses at JFK Airport that could result in Desk Appearance Tickets.

A Desk Appearance Ticket is the same thing as a criminal arrest and a conviction for a misdemeanor can give you a permanent and public criminal record. It can also potentially result in jail time, probation, fines, loss of employment, loss of immigration status, and loss of licensure, depending on the circumstances. These DATs must be taken seriously, as should any criminal arrest. Matthew Galluzzo has successfully helped over 100 clients earn dismissals in cases involving Desk Appearance Tickets, and has specifically helped over a dozen clients with charges stemming from JFK Airport.

Generally, a person who receives a Desk Appearance Ticket from JFK Airport must appear in Queens Criminal Court (located at 125-01 Queens Boulevard) as instructed by the ticket. Sometimes these court dates occur on weekends. Of course, many of the people arrested in JFK are travelers from out of town or even out of the country. In certain types of cases, Matthew Galluzzo has successfully appeared of behalf of many out-of-town and foreign clients and resolved these cases favorably without the clients having to appear personally. If you are a foreign or out-of-town client with a JFK Desk Appearance Ticket, you should strongly consider hiring Matthew Galluzzo to appear on your behalf, so that you do not have to make a special trip back to New York City just to appear in court to resolve a misdemeanor offense.

Unlike most of the other charges in Chapter 220 of the Penal Law, this particular charge focuses on the value of the narcotics, rather than the weight or quantity of the narcotics. Of course, the value of a quantity of narcotics can be easily disputed. Interestingly, this charge also aggregates the narcotics trafficking over time, whereas most state-court drug cases involve single transactions. Also, many times, charges are brought without sufficient proof that the accused played a supervising role in an actual organization.

This Class A-I felony drug charge carries serious potential prison sentences, as even someone without a criminal record faces a minimum 15 years in prison, with a maximum of 25 years.

Matthew Galluzzo, an experienced criminal defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor, has extensive experience representing individuals accused of large-scale narcotics trafficking offenses in state and federal court. If you or a loved one have been accused of Operating as a Major Trafficker, you should strongly consider contacting him to discuss the case.

Mr. Galluzzo worked with a social worker to describe the client’s extremely difficult upbringing, which included parental abuse, poverty, homelessness, the foster care system, and drug abuse as a pre-teen. Mr. Galluzzo convinced the judge that pursuant to the recent Second Circuit decision in US v. Gibson, the client was not a Career Offender under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines despite his two prior convictions for NY Penal Law Section 220.39, resulting in his classification as a Criminal History Category IV instead of VI. He also convincingly described the overdose as a terrible accident and expressed his client’s remorse to the judge.

Ultimately, the Court granted a significant downward variance and gave him a sentence equal to roughly half that recommended by the Sentencing Guidelines, 120 months (10 years). The client was pleased with the result and felt that his voice had been heard. The case was US v. Huertero, 20-cr-580 (ER) before Judge Ramos.

If you or a loved one are facing federal narcotics charges resulting in an overdose, you should strongly consider contacting Matthew Galluzzo. A former federal prosecutor, he has experienced litigating against government prosecutors attempting to prove that defendants are responsible for fatal overdoses, and has effectively cross-examined scientific expert witnesses (doctors, toxicologists, pathologists, etc.) on the subject. He also knows how to effectively present requests for merciful treatment from sentencing judges. Give him a call to schedule a consultation.

Mr. Galluzzo practices primarily in the New York City area, as well as the federal courts of Connecticut, White Plains (NY), and New Jersey. However, he is also able to defend federal criminal cases in other jurisdictions under certain circumstances.

A similar federal statute relates to the importation of narcotics into the country from outside the country. 21 U.S.C. Section 952 makes it a federal felony to import controlled substances from any place outside of the United States. The maximum and minimum penalties for committing these crimes are set forth in 21 U.S.C. Section 960, and again generally depend upon the type and quantity of narcotic imported into the United States, and whether anyone died as a result of those narcotics.

A person does not have to be physically transporting narcotics to be guilt of this crime. Federal prosecutors routinely pursue people for conspiring with others to commit this crime, such that one defendant might be accused of physically transporting narcotics while other members of the members of the conspiracy play different roles in the planning and delivery of the narcotics or its proceeds. Indeed, these crimes are frequently charged along with 21 U.S.C. 846, the conspiracy statute.

Indictments accusing individuals of these crimes may be the result of long-term investigations into narcotics trafficking, by federal agents and undercover informants. Sometimes, however, a defendant simply discovered and arrested at the border with narcotics in his vehicle might also be prosecuted in federal court. These cases also sometimes begin with arrests by U.S. Customs at airports who find narcotics in passenger luggage.

Defendants in these cases might be able to prove that they were unaware that they were being used to transport narcotics, or act as unwitting mules. In other cases, they might have played a minor role worthy of a sentencing reduction. Some young offenders may be eligible for federal diversionary programs to avoid prison or the lifelong stain of a conviction.

For defendants with no such defense, it is critical that they have an experienced criminal defense attorney who can advocate for leniency from the judge and prosecutors. Some defendants in these cases have drug addictions that caused them to become involved in a criminal conspiracy. Others might be controlled or abused by their boyfriends or husbands. In these cases, Matthew Galluzzo tries to really get to know his clients so that he can best present them as human beings to the presiding judges.

Indeed, Matthew Galluzzo has successfully defended many individuals charged with federal narcotics crimes, including 21 U.S.C. 952 and 960. If you or a loved one have been arrested or charged with such a crime, or conspiring to commit one, you should contact Matthew Galluzzo immediately. Matthew Galluzzo has represented individuals charged in federal court with trafficking cocaine, crack-cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, GHB, MDMA (ecstasy), crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, fentanyl, marijuana, suboxone, prescription medication (Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Percocet, etc.), “Lean,” and other controlled substances. Matthew Galluzzo has also represented individuals accused of trafficking narcotics on the Dark Web.

Matthew Galluzzo parle francais. En fait, il est chevalier dans l’Ordre National du Merite, a cause de son travail comme Avocat en Droit Penal aupres du Consulat General de France a New York.

These charges carry significant potential jail sentences, as well as enormous possible money forfeitures. If it is shown that anyone died as a result of an overdose from one of these illegally distributed pills, then the defendants could easily be facing sentences in excess of ten years or more.

The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo PLLC has significant experience representing alleged narcotics traffickers in federal court, especially in cases involving opioids and fentanyl. If you or a loved one are a doctor, pharmacist, or other alleged to have participated in an doctor-centered scheme to distribute narcotics, you should strongly consider contacting the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo PLLC. Their lead counsel has had success representing defendants accused of these crimes and has obtained good results.

Crystal methamphetamine is a frequent target of law enforcement in New York. The simple possession of a small (personal use) quantity is typically prosecuted in state court as a misdemeanor pursuant to NY Penal Law Section 220.03. The possession or trafficking of very large quantities of crystal methamphetamine is oftentimes prosecuted in federal court pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Sections 846 and 841, and can carry significant mandatory minimum penalties depending upon the quantity and the defendant’s criminal record. These federal charges also typically involve presumptive pre-trial detention, meaning that it may be difficult if not impossible to secure a defendant’s release pending trial. Larger-scale trafficking and possession of crystal methamphetamine can also result in New York state Class A-II felony charges for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (Penal Law 220.18) and/or Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (Penal Law 220.41).

Matthew Galluzzo has extensive experience defending individuals accused of possessing or trafficking crystal methamphetamine in New York state and federal courts. His clients have gotten great results in these matters. For example, on several occasions, Mr. Galluzzo has negotiated outright dismissals of serious felony charges in exchange for participation in drug rehabilitation programs. In multiple federal cases involving the trafficking of many kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, he earned his clients sentences far below those called for by the Sentencing Guidelines. In short, his track record with these sorts of matters is second to none.

Many individuals arrested for these sorts of offenses have addictions to crystal meth. Mr. Galluzzo has worked with clinicians on many occasions to help his clients beat their addictions and regain their sobriety. He has successfully referred clients to programs like Crystal Clear in Manhattan, for example, a unique group-therapy program for crystal meth addicts run through Mt. Sinai Hospital, and knows the program’s director. A client’s health and safety is always Mr. Galluzzo’s foremost concern, but he finds that clients oftentimes help themselves significantly with respect to their criminal cases when they demonstrate a sincere desire to reform and get sober.

Matthew Galluzzo is also a longtime ally of the LGBT community, and has proudly represented individuals all across the gender and sexual preference spectrum. If you or a loved one have been arrested for a crime involving crystal methamphetamine, you should strongly consider retaining him to assist you.

First, the government has to prove that the defendant actually sold drugs to the deceased person. Law enforcement frequently uses text messages and phone records to prove transactions in these cases. Law enforcement also frequently attempts to purchase narcotics themselves (undercover) from the target/suspect. That way, in the very least, the government can prove a charge of 21 U.S.C. Section 841, if not the overdose aspect.

Many drug overdoses are polydrug situations, meaning that the deceased person ingested more than one drug recently. In those cases, it can be more complicated to ascertain the precise “but for” cause of death. Certain drugs may interact with each other in unclear ways, and other drugs may work together in aggregate towards the same toxidrome. It is critical to have the assistance of a toxicological expert and an attorney familiar with some of the issues in overdose analysis. Many if not most of the federal prosecutions in this sphere nowadays involve fentanyl, and that drug is indeed far more potent, prevalent and deadly than most others. But that doesn’t mean that fentanyl – even when it shows in the victim’s bloodwork – is always the but for cause of death.

Matthew Galluzzo of the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo has successfully represented individuals charged with causing fatal overdoses through drug distribution. Should you or a loved one be charged with such a crime, you should strongly consider retaining his services. These cases are extremely serious and require passionate advocacy and technical expertise. Mr. Galluzzo operates primarily out of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey federal courts, but also occasionally represents clients in other federal courts across the country.

The indictment charges the following individuals:

LUIS FELICIANO, a.k.a. “Louminaty,” 38, of East Hartford
JOSE TIRADO, a.k.a. “Joselito” and “Leet,” 41, of Hartford
CARL JONES, a.k.a. “M.O.B.,” 41, of Hartford
LUIS ROBLES, a.k.a. “Lou,” 25, of Hartford
ROBERTO DIAZ, a.k.a. “Dragon Eyes,” 52, of West Hartford
MILTON ROSARIO, a.k.a. “Little,” 39, of Hartford
ANGEL DELGADO, 58, of Hartford
MARTIN MALDONADO, 33, of Hartford
JEREMY OZUNA, 27, of New Jersey
ROBERT VALLE, 58, of Schenectady, New York
MARSHA WATSON, 33, of Bangor, Maine
DEVIN TEXIRA, a.k.a. “LV,” 25, of Hartford
JOSHUA RODRIGUEZ, 31, of Hartford
JOEL DELEON, JR., a.k.a. “Psycho,” 41, of Hartford
HERIBERTO MENDEZ, a.k.a. “Big Ed,” 43, of Hartford
CHRISTOPHER GILLIARD, a.k.a. “CJ” and “Gilly,” 34, of Hartford.

They are charged with violations of 21 U.S.C. Section 846 (a conspiracy to distribute narcotics, meaning a working agreement to do a crime together) and violations of 21 U.S.C. Section 841. The seriousness of the latter charge depends on the quantity of the drugs for which the conspirators are responsible (or at least, the amount that was reasonably foreseeable to them as conspirators), with the most serious charge being 21 USC Section 841(a)(1)(A). That latter charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Other federal drug charges under Section 841 carry 5 year mandatory minimum sentences, and others have no mandatory minimum at all (though there could be a twenty-year maximum).

Several of the defendants are also charged with various firearms offenses. The 922g charge in this indictment means possession of a firearm by a “prohibited person,” which in this case means a person with a prior felony conviction. The 924c charge relates to the possession or use of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics-related crime. So, just having access to the gun while operating as a drug dealer can be sufficient evidence of guilt for this crime. It could carry a potential five-year sentence to run consecutive to any narcotics-related sentence.

Notably, the press release explains that this case involves a significant quantity of fentanyl. That drug is oftentimes used to lace other drugs, make counterfeit pills (fake Xanax or Oxycodone), and all-too-often causes fatal overdoses. As such, the penalties for fentanyl can be significant, and individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl may not be eligible for certain credits for early release from prison.

If you or a loved one have been charged with violating the federal narcotics or firearm laws, you should strongly consider contacting Matthew Galluzzo. He is a federal criminal defense attorney based in New York and Connecticut and former Manhattan prosecutor.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the rapper and five other men trafficked in significant quantities of heroin, cocaine, and the especially-dangerous drug, fentanyl. The defendants (including Anthony Leonardi, Robert Leonardi, Brian Sullivan, Anthony Syntje, and Kavaughn Wiggins) have all been arrested and detained pending trial. Prosecutors claim to have recovered at least 16 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of heroin, and fentanyl, though it is certain that they will allege that the group is responsible for far more than that. Indeed, the press release describes the amount of drugs trafficked by the crew as “massive”.

Fetty Wap is unlikely to be released on bail pending trial, though it may be possible given his likely financial resources. However, in federal narcotics cases of this size and scale, the presumption for judges is that a defendant should be detained pending trial. Fetty Wap would have to convincingly demonstrate that he does not pose a risk to the public, and that he would not flee if released on bond. Given his resources (and possible ability to live abroad), the amount of prison time that he is potentially facing, the fact that his codefendants are indicted for using firearms, and the fact that he allegedly trafficked in fentanyl, which is notorious for causing fatal overdoses, it seems unlikely that he will be bailed out pending trial.

The maximum penalty for these charges (21 U.S.C. 841) is, in this case, life. The minimum statutory penalty is ten years in prison. In some cases, defendants facing ten year mandatory minimum sentences under 21 USC 841 are able to negotiate five year mandatory minimum sentences, or even plea agreements without mandatory minimums. However, given the amount of narcotics seized in this case, Fetty Wap is probably going to receive no better than a ten year mandatory minimum offer from the prosecutors, which he will either have to accept or try his luck with a jury.

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines generally enable more precise estimates for how much time defendants are really facing, however. It is difficult to predict at this stage, though, as there are some unknown variables in Fetty Wap’s case. We do not know, for example, whether there are any overdoses potentially attributable to the defendants’ conduct. We also do not know whether Fetty Wap played a supervisory role in the conspiracy to traffic narcotics. Those factors can significantly increase the penalties for drug defendants. Pleading guilty, on the other hand, usually earns significant reductions in the sentencing range for defendants (as opposed to being convicted at trial).

Fetty Wap is of course presumed innocent. As of yet, we have no idea what evidence law enforcement has against him. But odds are that his outlook is very bleak. Federal indictments in cases like this tend to involve numerous controlled undercover purchases, wiretaps, surveillance, and confidential informants working with the government. Put another way, the evidence is typically overwhelming. It is thus no surprise that over 95% of federal criminal defendants plead guilty. So, Fetty Wap is unfortunately probably looking at a huge sentence that will end his music career and see him emerge from prison as an old man. It seems inexplicable that a talented artist with a lucrative career would risk everything to make illegal money in the drug trade. His lawyers will probably be seeking to get him the best plea bargain possible, and then beg a sentencing judge for leniency. That is oftentimes the best that defense attorneys can really do in these sorts of cases. But top notch advocacy for a client is truly invaluable and can make a huge difference in the outcome.

Matthew Galluzzo is a former Manhattan prosecutor who regularly represents criminal defendants charged with major narcotics crimes in federal and state courts throughout New York. He has helped many defendants escape prosecution, earn dismissals of criminal charges, and negotiate favorable plea bargain outcomes. If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with a serious drug felony, you should contact Matthew Galluzzo to discuss your options.

For example, if a person is convicted in federal court of selling even a small amount of drugs, and one of his customers dies from an overdose, the minimum penalty immediately becomes 20 years. If the convicted person also has a prior conviction for selling narcotics, that person may face a life sentence for having sold drugs that results in an overdose.

These cases can certainly be defended against at trial. It can be difficult for prosecutors to prove which drugs a deceased person may have consumed, who they purchased them from, or whether the drugs were actually responsible for the person’s death. However, these cases are extremely serious and should be defended by an attorney with experience in these matters. Matthew Galluzzo, a federal criminal defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor, has defended individuals accused of trafficking narcotics resulting in death. If you or a loved one are facing federal charges relating to narcotics, you should strongly consider contacting him to discuss his possible engagement.

Federal cases involving narcotics charges typically are the result of long-term investigations by the FBI, the DEA, Homeland Security, or a joint task force involving local police like the NYPD. As such, there are oftentimes wiretaps, surveillance tapes, confidential informants, and search warrants. An effective defense requires an attorney who can review the evidence and the law enforcement processes to determine whether any constitutional rights were violated.

Many unfortunate individuals never actually possessed or distributed narcotics but nonetheless find themselves charged in federal court on account of the conspiracy laws encapsulated in 21 USC 846. That statute explains: “Any person who attempts or conspires to commit any offense defined in this subchapter shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy.” Basically, this means that a person who plays any knowing role whatsoever in another person’s illegal business is criminally liable for the entirety of that conduct. For example, a person who introduces two people for the purpose of a drug transaction can be expected to be charged as an equal to whatever drug transaction ultimately occurred. A person who acts as a lookout during a drug transaction could be treated as equally culpable to the seller of the narcotics. A person who simply rents an apartment to someone whom he knows is dealing drugs from the apartment could be guilty of “conspiring” to assist the dealer. These are just a few examples of people who could be charged in ways that seem unfair in light of their relatively modest role in the crime. We have however defended many girlfriends of drug dealers and casual acquaintances of true criminals who have found themselves knee-deep in serious federal cases after having had only fleeting or tangential involvement in the cases. But this is the reality of federal conspiracy law.

In conclusion, if you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with violating the federal criminal drug laws – such as 21 USC 841 or 21 USC 846 – you should strongly consider retaining the services of the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. Their team of former Manhattan prosecutors has successfully defended numerous individuals accused of federal crimes relating to the possession and trafficking of cocaine, heroin, crystal meth and methamphetamine, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid), ecstasy (MDMA), fentanyl, and prescription drugs like oxycontin, oxycodone, and other opiods. Notably, their attorneys have particular experience and expertise in defending foreign citizens in these matters, as they are fluent in French and Spanish and have long relationships with the New York-area consulates of several foreign nations (including France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and Australia, among others). They also have experience defending individuals accused of operating illegally on the Dark Web. Their results involve numerous dismissals and favorable sentences far below those normally called for by the federal sentencing guidelines. Give them a call to discuss your federal New York district court case. They operate primarily in the Southern District of New York and Eastern District of New York federal courts.

Our lawyers have a great track record of representing F1 visa holders who are arrested in New York for charges including Petit Larceny, Assault, DWI, Theft of Service, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana possession, Weapons possession and more. One of the advantages F1 visa holders do have is that they often have minimal criminal justice contacts, if any, as well as solid resumes since they have been granted access to attend one of New York’s many fine academic institutions (many of our clients have attended Columbia or New York University, to name a couple). As former prosecutors, we are able to marshall our clients’ strengths and put together an effective and targeted strategy in each case in order to secure the best possible outcome. Our goal is always to leave our clients’ records intact, as well as ensure that they are able to preserve their visas and continue their studies here with minimal distraction. Our lawyers have also secured countless dismissals in such cases, which provides the best outlook for any non-citizen facing criminal prosecution.

If you or a loved one are studying here in the US on an F1 visa and have been arrested and charged with a crime or violation offense, do not hesitate to contact our team of experienced criminal defense lawyers at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo as soon as possible so as to avoid any negative consequences.

As in the case of any non-citizen, the stakes are higher for O-1, O-2 and O-3 visa holders who are arrested because they face the risk of visa revocation on top of any sentence which is authorized for the crime they’ve been arrested for. For this reason, our lawyers are extraordinarily diligent in their representation of visa holders (as well as non-citizens in general), where a great deal of effort must be placed on crafting dispositions with an eye towards preserving our clients’ immigration status. In addition to being accomplished trial litigators, our attorneys are also top-notch negotiators who have secured many dismissals and non-criminal dispositions for our clients. Specifically, the attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo have represented countless visa-holders with an impeccable record of success. For all of these reasons, it is imperative for any non-citizen who has been arrested (even given a Desk Appearance Ticket) to contact us as early in the process as possible. Even those charged with seemingly “minor” misdemeanors need to be diligent, for example, those charged with: Theft of Services (PL 165.15), Petit Larceny (PL 155.25), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (PL 220.03), Criminal Mischief (PL 145.00), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (PL 221.10), Assault in the Third Degree (PL 120.00), and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (PL 265.01).

Keep in mind, U.S. visa posts routinely perform criminal background checks on visa applicants, which can lead to devastating consequences for those who don’t navigate the system properly, including, but not limited to, initiation of removal proceedings. For a myriad of reasons, it is critical for any O-1, O-2 or O-3 visa holder to contact an experienced attorney who understands the delicate nuances and immigration consequences posed in each of these cases. To be sure, the lawyers at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo have successfully represented O-1 visa holder with great success. If you or a loved are faced with a criminal prosecution, contact our attorneys without delay.

In many ways, a Desk Appearance Ticket does not feel like such a big deal. The arrested person is usually handcuffed and taken to a police station where they are fingerprinted. They typically wait a few hours in a holding cell until they are given a piece of paper telling them the date and location of their appearance in court. Before Desk Appearance Tickets became routine, criminal defendants could expect to get “sent downtown” and spend the night in jail before seeing a judge. Obviously, Desk Appearance Tickets are preferable for criminal defendants because they spend less time in custody and also have the opportunity to choose counsel for themselves prior to going to court.

Make no mistake, however: the issuance of a Desk Appearance Ticket is in fact an arrest – it is not “just a ticket”. More importantly for visa holders, this event is not going to “fly under the radar” with the immigration agencies. If you were arrested and given a Desk Appearance Ticket, your fingerprints and the arrest charges have been sent to a New York state agency (the Division of Criminal Justice Services) and to the FBI, which maintains a federal nationwide law enforcement database of all arrest events across the United States (the Interstate Identification Index). Visa and green card holders should understand that the immigration agencies, in processing visa renewal requests, access this database to investigate whether the visa applicant has an arrest record. Indeed, some visa holders actually receive emails from Department of Homeland Security (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) agents after their arrests, because the agency was notified of the arrest via the fingerprint database.

Generally speaking, visas will not be renewed if a visa holder has a pending (meaning unresolved) criminal case. Our office has worked with many people whose visas to work or attend school in the U.S. were denied on account of having a pending criminal case, either forcing them to return to their native country or preventing them from returning to the United States. Of course, certain types of convictions can also prevent the renewal of a visa, and can even result in removal or deportation for green card holders. The rules pertaining to the effects of various convictions are too complicated to full explain here – you should consult with an experienced attorney on the subject.

If you received a Desk Appearance Ticket, it should tell you what you can expect to be charged with when you go to court. Specifically, it will list a “Penal Law” charge with the phrase “PL” followed by a number next to the term “Top Offense Charge” or “Top Count”. The most common types of Desk Appearance Tickets include charges of Petit Larceny (or shoplifting, PL 155.25), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (PL 220.03), Theft of Services (PL 165.15), Criminal Possession of a Weapon (PL 265.01), Assault in the Third Degree (PL 120.00), Trespass (PL 140.10), Public Lewdness (PL 245.00), Forgery (PL 170.20), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (PL 221.10), and Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree (PL 130.53). These charges are all misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days or 1 year in jail.

Most individuals (without prior arrests) charged with these crimes do not incur criminal convictions. However, many of the “best” dispositions for these cases – called Adjournments in Contemplation of Dismissals (or “ACDs”) – involve long “probationary” periods of six months or a year, during which time the defendants agree to remain arrest free and complete community service or counseling in exchange for a dismissal of the charges. Dismissals are generally great for defendants, so it is hard to refuse such an offer from the prosecutor and court, normally. Unfortunately for visa holders, these “probationary periods” sometimes overlap with the deadlines for renewals of their visas, and since the criminal charges are technically still pending during these probationary periods, visas can and will be denied during these periods. There are a number of possible solutions to this problem. Oftentimes, we seek to have court dates advanced for our clients to avoid deadline problems, meaning that the cases are brought to court sooner than originally scheduled. Sometimes we are able to convince prosecutors to dismiss charges outright. Other times, we simply petition prosecutors to shorten the “probationary periods” on the ACDs to give our clients the opportunity to apply for their visas without this impediment for renewal.

Criminal defendants holding visas and facing Desk Appearance Tickets should also consult with an attorney prior to traveling abroad. New executive orders signed by the President have complicated foreign travel for such individuals. Indeed, foreign visa holders could risk being denied re-entry into the United States by traveling while a criminal case is pending.

Our attorneys regularly represent foreign citizens charged with Desk Appearance Tickets. In fact, on account of our close relationships with several foreign consulates in New York City, over half of our criminal defense clients are citizens of foreign nations. As a result, we understand the unique challenges that holders of green cards of visas face after receiving a Desk Appearance Ticket, and we understand how to best help our clients avoid serious consequences for their visas or immigration status. We have helped countless individuals with F1, K1, H1B, J1, O1, E3, H2B, B1, and other visas remain in the United States so that they could pursue their careers and educational opportunities, and we are proud to have been able to do so.

If you or a loved one are a foreign citizen and have received a Desk Appearance Ticket, you should seriously consider the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. Their team of former Manhattan prosecutors will help you navigate the confusing criminal-immigration system and work with your immigration attorneys to do everything possible to ensure that your application for a renewal of your visa or green card is unaffected by these criminal charges.

Unfortunately, even a minor arrest can derail an application or renewal for an H1B visa. The attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo have represented many individuals with H1B visas who have received Desk Appearance Tickets for misdemeanor arrests, including, among other things: Theft of Services (PL 165.15), Petit Larceny (PL 155.25), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (PL 220.03), Criminal Mischief (PL 145.00), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (PL 221.10), and Assault in the Third Degree (PL 120.00). Some of these cases are oftentimes resolved with adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (“ACDs”) that would generally be considered to be favorable dispositions. However, ACDs typically involve six month waiting periods before the cases are dismissed, and any people who need to apply for or renew their H1B visas during that six month period are precluded from doing so (and thus unable to remain in the United States at their chosen and hard-earned job). Put plainly, an H1B visa will not be renewed if a criminal case is pending or if the ACD waiting period is still outsanding. This effect has also been noted in the context of other visa applications, such as F1 and J1 visas.

While these are generally not considered the most serious of cases, for visa holders, even these comparatively minor criminal cases can impact your life, career and renewal applications in a number of other ways. For example, convictions for these crimes can result in job loss, permanent criminal records, deportation or inadmissibility, fines, and potentially even jail time. A criminal case should never be taken lightly, but foreign citizens with visas need to be even more mindful of the consequences of an arrest.

The attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo – the accredited criminal defense attorneys for the New York Consulates of France, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia and Saudi Arabia – regularly represent foreign citizens in a wide variety of criminal cases, and have been successful in securing countless dismissals for our foreign clients. Moreover, we have been successful on numerous occasions in convincing prosecutors to dismiss low-level cases or shorten the statutory ACD waiting periods by demonstrating the adverse impact upon their H1B visa renewals or applications. If any of this might apply to you, you should consider retaining the services of one of the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo.

Additionally, the attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo are fluent in French and Spanish. Our clients with those backgrounds greatly appreciate their ability to communicate in their native languages and find it easier to understand the process. To learn more about New York criminal law issues in French, visit our website www.droitpenal.nyc or email avocat@droitpenal.nyc.

American demand for illegal drugs, combined with harsh federal and state laws prohibiting their sale and possession, has created a black market that can be extraordinarily lucrative for illegal drug traffickers. Enticed by the potential to make significant amounts of money very quickly, many foreign citizens make the mistake of attempting to import controlled substances into the United States through New York City’s international airports (JFK and Newark, and to a lesser extent, LaGuardia). Those individuals caught in the act of importing narcotics typically face federal criminal charges like 21 U.S.C. § 952 (importing controlled substances) or 21 U.S.C. § 841 (possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute). Indeed, one study concluded that approximately 75% of those individuals sentenced for federal drug convictions in 2014 were illegal immigrants or foreign citizens.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/illegal-immigrants-responsible-for-almost-three-fourths-of-federal-drug-possession-sentences-in-2014/article/2567814

It should first be noted that individuals basically do not have any constitutional protections against searches or seizures at the U.S. border. This is a slight oversimplification, but plainly put, Customs officers at the airports are generally permitted to search any luggage for just about any reason, whether that person is a citizen or not. Customs officials can also search through electronic devices and cell phones without any articulable suspicion (which occasionally results in arrests for child pornography).

Individuals found to have illegal controlled substances in their luggage or on their persons at the airport tend to be charged with federal crimes, though small matters are sometimes referred to state law enforcement (where the penalties tend to be less severe). It is the transportation of the controlled substances across state lines or across the U.S. border that gives federal law enforcement jurisdiction to prosecute these cases.

Foreign citizens arrested for illegally importing controlled substances are typically brought before a federal magistrate judge for an initial appearance a day or two after their arrests. At that time, the judge determines the amount of bail to set. Bail in these cases tends to be very high, if it is set at all (the alternative to bail is a remand, in which the accused individuals are simply detained and not afforded the opportunity to post bail at all). Additionally, though, the immigration agencies usually serve immigration detainers, which are agency orders that cause any accused foreign citizen to be taken directly into immigration custody in the event that he or she actually pays her federal criminal bail. Put another way, most foreign citizens accused of federal drug importation crimes should not even bother trying to post bail, as the payment of bail would simply result in them being transferred into an immigration jail, where they would wait until the resolution of their criminal case anyway.

The penalties for individuals charged with federal drug importation crimes at the airport depend primarily upon the quantities of drugs that the accused individuals were attempting to import. This issue is too difficult to summarize here – you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss the likely potential sentence under the federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Even those individuals with green cards or valid American visas can face deportation as a result of merely being arrested – let alone convicted – for alleged importation of narcotics at the American border. Thus, the stakes can be particularly high for those accused non-citizens with family members living in the United States.

Some non-citizens also find themselves getting in trouble for possessing drugs or controlled substances that they had no intention of trafficking. For example, we have represented several individuals that have been stopped while attempting to bring prescription drugs onto airplanes departing the United States. These individuals typically get charged in state court with misdemeanors in violation of Penal Law 220.03. Foreigners should understand that even if they have valid foreign prescriptions for their controlled substances, if they cannot present proof of those prescriptions to inspectors at the airport, they are likely to be arrested. In short, prescription drugs should never be carried “loose” in airline luggage or without proof of the underlying prescription. Non-citizens convicted of even misdemeanor state level drug charges can also face serious immigration consequences from these seemingly minor incidents.

If your loved one is a foreign citizen facing drug charges in the United States, you should strongly consider contacting the experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. Their team of former prosecutors has successfully defended countless individuals charged with drug possession and trafficking, and has represented a citizen of almost every sizable nation on Earth. Indeed, a significant percentage of their clients are foreign citizens, as they maintain close working relationships with the New York area consulates of several foreign nations, including France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Belgium, and Australia. Call them to schedule a consultation and get a fair assessment of your case.

On parle français. Se habla español.

The attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo have represented dozens of people arrested at nightclubs and bars throughout the city, and our experience as prosecutors and defense attorneys has taught us that certain types of cases are quite common. Through our experience on both sides we have also learned that these types of cases present unique challenges and opportunities for defense attorneys, and have learned how to best take advantage of the unique circumstances that these cases often present.

The most typical arrest charges for drugs at nightclubs are Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail (Penal Law 220.03) (frequently charged as a Desk Appearance Ticket), Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony punishable by multiple years in state prison (Penal Law 220.39), and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony punishable by multiple years in state prison (Penal Law 220.16) for possessing with the intent to sell. It is noteworthy in the club context that the definition of “sale” in New York state law simply means to give to another person, thus “sharing drugs” with your friend is technically a “sale of drugs” even if your friend did not pay you anything for the drugs. Typical nightclub drugs classified as “controlled substances” include cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), molly or methylone, heroin, prescription drugs like oxycodone, and methamphetamine or crystal meth, to name a few.

One thing that is unique about these cases in the context of nightclubs is that oftentimes the “arrests” are made by security guards or bouncers. Individuals do not have a right against being “illegally searched” by private actors on private property (such as security guards), so those arguments that might work for searches performed by police officers typically do not apply. However, security guards are notorious for mishandling contraband prior to delivering it to police and quite frankly make for less-than-reliable witnesses at trial. Also, undercover officers frequently attempt to purchase drugs inside of nightclubs, and arguments about entrapment might be available where someone (possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol already) who was simply in possession of drugs at a nightclub without any intention of selling them suddenly is persuaded into selling some out of an innocent desire to be social with the undercover.

We have previously been successful in getting felony drug sale charges dismissed for individuals arrested by undercover police for allegedly selling drugs inside of NYC nightclubs, and have had countless nightclub drug possession charges for our clients as well. If you or a loved one have been arrested or issued a Desk Appearance Ticket in connection with an alleged possession of drugs that occurred at a nightclub or bar in New York City, you should strongly consider contacting the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. Their three attorneys were all former Manhattan prosecutors that used to investigate and prosecute crimes like these, and they have had considerable success getting drug charges (possession and sale) dismissed for clients in cases originating in nightclubs and bars.

The traditional business model of drug trafficking, though potentially lucrative, is fraught with peril and obstacles for its participants at all levels. Thanks to fantastic television programs like The Wire and Breaking Bad, many Americans already have a basic understanding of this business model: Transactions are conducted using cash, and regulatory safeguards at banks and other institutions make it difficult for dealers to use their income to make large purchases (thereby necessitating the risky business of money laundering). Transactions are also generally made face-to-face and hand-to-hand, meaning that the dealers and buyers can be fairly easily identified or apprehended by law enforcement.

These sorts of traditional drug dealing operations use levels and levels of intermediaries to protect the chiefs from being directly implicated, but law enforcement officers have routinely been able to force low- and medium-level dealers to “snitch” on their suppliers. Moreover, this business model’s need for a human being to personally deliver contraband makes the buyers and sellers potentially subject to violent acts by thieves or competitors.

It should come as no surprise then that many savvy and enterprising criminals took to the nether world of the “Dark Web” (or “Dark Net”) to traffic narcotics (and sometimes even weapons) at online markets like Silk Road (then Silk Road 2.0) and Agora, among others. These online markets provided solid anonymity for buyers and sellers of drugs because they are accessible only through the Tor browser (Tor = The Onion Router), a software program designed to disguise the IP address (and thus the physical presence) of a person browsing online. Buyers and sellers can connect anonymously on these markets using Tor in a way that makes it extremely difficult for law enforcement to track the IP addresses (and thus, the physical locations and true identities) of the participants.Though Silk Road was shut down by law enforcement, and other sites continue to be closed, new ones inevitably crop up to replace them.

Also, the buyers and sellers on these websites aren’t using credit cards or cash – they’re generally using BitCoin. This online and anonymous digital currency has been highly controversial and is illegal in some countries, though it is currently legal in the U.S. and becoming subject to increasing regulations. (NOTE: The author of this article has significant experience representing a person accused of criminal activity involving the use of now-defunct precursor online currencies called Webmoney and egold.). There is no question that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are absolutely critical to the survival of these marketplaces, as these transactions could not possibly be consummated without it.

Moreover, consumers of narcotics and designer drugs frequently find the experience of buying from these sorts of online suppliers to be safer and easier than the traditional alternative. First, the buyer doesn’t have to personally meet an unsavory criminal in his home or some other dangerous place where he risks being caught. Second, the market offers easy price comparisons amongst sellers – it’s practically an eBay or Travelocity for drugs. (Note: Federal Judge Katherine Forrest, in denying Ross Ulbricht’s motion to dismiss the pending indictment against him, described the now defunct Silk Road as being like eBay).

Of course, because of the anonymity involved, a buyer can be easily ripped off on one of these sites – that is why buyer reviews are such an important part of these new markets. Sellers have to develop and maintain a reputation for trustworthiness among users, and that can be hard to do in an environment where buyers cannot possibly hold the seller personally accountable for defrauding them.

The hosts of these marketplaces can also fairly effectively disguise their anonymity. Ross Ulbricht a/k/a Dread Pirate Roberts, is easily the most notorious such alleged host, and was arrested last year after a length federal investigation. The U.S. federal government contended that for years he hosted the Silk Road online market (technically a portal accessible only via Tor browsers), and took commissions on thousands of drug-related sales totaling millions of dollars in Bitcoin. Ultimately, after a trial before Judge Forrest, Ross Ulbricht was convicted of numerous crimes and sentenced to life in prison.

The weaknesses in these modern operations generally arise in the delivery system. Private shipping companies like FedEx and DHL do not need search warrants to open suspicious packages.Accordingly, dealers tend to prefer to use shady offshore delivery services or USPS, whose agents must have federal search warrants to open suspicious packages. In the event that an illicit package is intercepted by a courier, federal agents often attempt to deliver the package to its intended recipient in a “controlled buy”: essentially, the federal agent poses as a delivery man and tries to get the recipient to sign for the package. Of course, most buyers in this market use “dummy drop” addresses, like mailboxes opened under pseudonyms, to receive these sorts of packages. Ultimately though these measures don’t really prevent law enforcement from waiting at the “dummy drop” location and simply arresting the person when s/he picks up the package.

Most dealers sending narcotics via courier do not use actual return addresses, of course, or pay for the postage with anything other than cash. Federal agents might be able to trace the drop off point of an intercepted package, but unless there is good archived video surveillance footage of the person making the drop at the courier’s drop off center, it is typically exceedingly difficult for federal agents to identify the person that mailed the package. Finally, dealers that use couriers have discovered a variety of vacuum-sealing techniques to make it especially difficult for courier companies or USPS to detect any illicit substances in the packages.

These sorts of cases are typically prosecuted in federal court. Notably, local law enforcement makes most of the drug trafficking related arrests in the U.S. – indeed, police officers do most of the heavy lifting in America’s War on Drugs. However, whereas cartels engaged in traditional drug dealing are routinely investigated by both state and local law enforcement, these new online Silk Road and Agora operations are generally just too complex for state law enforcement officers to penetrate; state law enforcement simply lacks the resources and the personnel to penetrate these operations, so it is up to the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies alone to do the work. The author wouldn’t be surprised if the federal government soon starts seriously ramping up its own funding of this effort to combat the “Dark Net” or decides to give more money to local law enforcement agencies to develop the capabilities to assist them, but for the moment, in terms of sheer numbers and probabilities, there are probably fewer law enforcement officers chasing these modern dealers than there are officers pursuing traditional drug dealers on the streets.

That being said, the potential penalties for dealing drugs online can be significant. The most readily applicable charges would generally include violations of 18 USC Section 952 or any number of money-laundering and conspiracy charges. Obviously, Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, received life in prison for his criminal activities, though his appeal is pending. Also, sellers on Silk Road face a two-level enhancement under 2D1.1(b)(7) for “mass marketing” narcotics on the Internet, which buy itself can elevate a sentence by two years as opposed to traditional drug dealing.

If you or a loved have been arrested or prosecuted for a crime involving the purchase or sale of contraband or narcotics on Silk Road, Agora, or some other Tor-accessed portal, you should strongly consider contacting the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. Their team of former prosecutors has defended people accused of committing Internet crimes involving electronic currencies like Bitcoin and its precursors, as well as individuals accused of trafficking narcotics on the internet and Tor-accessed markets. This is a complex subject at the intersection of technology and criminal law that few criminal defense attorneys truly understand, so you should take pains to ensure that your criminal defense attorneys, like those at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo, truly understand the relevant issues.