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In New York an arrest for possession of less than 500 mg of cocaine is classified as criminal possession in the 7th degree, a Class A misdemeanor which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail.
An arrest for possession of 500 mg or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal possession in the 5th degree, a Class D felony punishable by 1 to 2 ½ years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 4 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 4½ years.
An arrest for possession of 1/8 of an ounce or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal possession in the 4th degree, a Class C felony punishable by 1 to 5½ years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 8 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 9 years.
An arrest for possession of ½ of an ounce or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal possession in the 3rd degree, a Class B felony punishable by 1 to 9 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 12 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 15 years.
An arrest for possession of 4 ounces or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal possession in the 2nd degree, a Class A-II felony punishable by 3 to 10 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 14 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 17 years.
An arrest for possession of 8 ounces or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal possession in the 1st degree, a Class A-I felony punishable by 8 to 20 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 24 years in jail, and previous violent offenders face 15 to 30 years.
An arrest for possessing cocaine with intent to sell or is classified as criminal possession in the 3rd degree, a Class B felony punishable by 1 to 9 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 12 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 15 years.
An arrest for selling less than ½ ounce of cocaine is classified as criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, a Class B felony punishable by 1 to 9 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 12 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 15 years.
An arrest for selling ½ ounce or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree, a Class A-II felony punishable by 3 to 10 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 14 years in jail, and a previous violent offenders could face 17 years.
An arrest for selling 2 ounces or more of cocaine or a cocaine mixture is classified as criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 1st degree, a Class A-I felony punishable by 8 to 20 years in prison. Second time offenders may face up to 24 years in jail, and previous violent offenders face 15 to 30 years.
The penalties for possession of cocaine are set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 844 (*Note: these penalties are for possession only. Possession of even a small amount will usually be charged as possession with intent to distribute):
The penalties for the of sale or possession with intent to sell cocaine are set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 841 (*Note: these are the penalties for the first conviction with no enhancing factors):
The penalties for possession of crack are set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 844 (*Note: these penalties are for possession only. Possession of even a small amount will usually be charged as possession with intent to distribute):
The penalties for the of sale or possession with intent to sell crack are set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 841 (*Note: these are the penalties for the first conviction with no enhancing factors):
Frequently asked Questions about Drug Crimes Penalties for other Substances Federal Sentencing Information
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