New York has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation, and prosecutors are only too happy to prosecute innocent people who were ignorant of the law.
There are four grades of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in New York, and three are classified as violent felonies.
In the Fourth Degree, you are alleged to have improperly possessed a weapon, regardless of your intentions as to its use.
This is a Class A Misdemeanor, carrying a potential sentence of one year in jail.
If you have a previous criminal record, and are in possession of a weapon whose serial number has been defaced, or have three or more firearms without proper licenses and registration, you can be charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a violent felony that can put you away for up to seven years.
Possessing a loaded firearm, or possessing any firearm with the intent of committing a crime against another, is charged as Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, with a sentence that can go as high as 15 years.
As a First Degree matter, this charge can put you away for 25 years in New York.
Don’t take chances. If you’ve been arrested for criminal possession of a weapon at any level, call our experienced NYC criminal defence lawyers at (212) 577-6677 to schedule a consultation right away.