Fight Your Felony Drug Case with a Former NYC Prosecutor and Detail-Oriented Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing felony drug charges in New York requires a laser-focused defense that leaves no stone unturned in challenging every aspect of the prosecution’s case.

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, felony narcotics cases are among the top cases we regularly handle in courts throughout the New York City and Westchester County area.

As a former Manhattan prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer, Michael J. McConnell is very familiar with how narcotics investigations are built, how the local DA’s offices prosecute these cases, and the top defense strategies that are available to defendants facing serious felony drug charges in New York.

To learn more about how the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can help you fight your felony narcotics case, you can schedule a free and confidential consultation by phone. You can give us a call 24/7 or Book Your Free Consultation Online.

Call Now

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell provides skilled and results-oriented criminal defense for people facing serious felony-level narcotics offenses in courts throughout the following areas:

So if you or a loved one was arrested for selling or possessing a large quantity of narcotics in any of the areas above, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is ready to help you build a strong and strategic defense from the start.

Book a Call with Michael J. McConnell

Does your office handle all levels of narcotics offenses?

Yes, Michael J. McConnell has experience handling all levels of felony narcotics crimes under Penal Law Article 220 ranging from Class E felonies to Class A-I drug felonies like Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree under P.L. § 220.21.

Do you have experience dealing with the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York (“SNP”)?

Yes, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell has represented clients who were being prosecuted by the NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor and is familiar with how they conduct long-term investigations and build their cases.

What Makes SNP Cases Different

If you are being prosecuted by SNP, it is important to understand that they have “citywide jurisdiction” and tend to aggressively prosecute larger-scale and higher-level narcotics trafficking organizations. They work very closely with many different agencies, including specialized narcotics task forces and the DEA.

Defending Cases Versus SNP is Different Too

Defending cases brought by SNP often requires a much different approach than the typical felony drug case being prosecuted by one of the other local DA’s offices in NYC. It is therefore imperative to have a criminal defense attorney who is proactive and willing to leave no stone unturned in litigating cases against SNP.

What is your office’s approach to defending clients accused of serious drug crimes?

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell takes a very proactive and focused approach to building a strong defense in narcotics cases. Here is a basic framework for how we do it.

Option 1: Litigation in Drug Cases

The most important part of building a great defense in a felony narcotics case in New York is to first identify the key issues. Once you identify the best issues to litigate, you then go on the attack by filing detailed motions to suppress evidence and building a trial strategy that exploits where the DA’s case is most vulnerable.

For example:

  • Did the police conduct an unconstitutional search?
  • Was this an illegal stop and frisk?
  • Did the officers have probable cause?
  • Was the search warrant valid?
  • If this was a consent search, was the consent actually valid?
  • If you made incriminating statements, did the cops violate your Miranda rights?
  • Does the DA have enough evidence to prove intent?
  • Are there any arguments that you did not actually or constructively possess the drugs?
  • Did law enforcement illegally plant the drugs in your car?
  • Is there an argument for entrapment?
  • Was the lab testing done properly? Or is it unreliable?

Every case is different, so not all of these issues will apply to every case and there are of course countless others not mentioned here that could certainly apply. The key is being able to identify these issues as early as possible and to build a comprehensive strategy around it.

Option 2: Mitigation in Drug Cases

Even in cases where the DA’s evidence appears strong, mitigation might be an option.

For example, maybe this is your first ever arrest. Or perhaps you were only selling drugs out of financial desperation or to feed your own addiction.

While every case will be different and not all cases will present a strong likelihood of possible mitigation, the Law Office of Michae J. McConnell has been able to successfully resolve felony narcotics cases through mitigation to help clients avoid jail time and in some cases avoid a criminal record altogether.

Of course, prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes as every case will have its own unique facts.

The key idea, however, is that even if the case against you appears strong for the DA on paper, it might be possible for your attorney to prepare a mitigation packet to help convince the DA that you deserve mercy or leniency.

Option 3: The Dual Path Strategy of Litigation and Mitigation

In some cases, both litigation and mitigation are good options. And when that is true, we essentially run a full court press using both of them to help our clients.

Implementing both of these strategies at the same time can give a skilled criminal defense lawyer like Michael J. McConnell a lot of leverage in plea negotiations even if the top charge against you is serious. And while not every case will be suitable for this dual-path strategy, identifying the ones where it is possible is a critical part of providing high-quality legal representation on felony drug cases in New York.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer in New York charge for a felony drug case?

This answer will always depend on several factors, including the level of the charge, the overall complexity of the case, the attorney’s experience and reputation, the fee structure, whether the case goes to trial, and more.

General Expectations Regarding Cost

In general, when all is said and done on a felony narcotics case in New York, clients can usually expect to pay somewhere within the following ranges (though of course prices can always vary significantly based on the particular circumstances of each case and the attorney):

  • $7,000 to $15,000 for lower-level cases
  • $10,000 to $30,000 on mid-level cases
  • and $20,000 to $50,000 or more on high-level cases

In fact, it is not unheard of for some cases involving complex conspiracies and larger-scale trafficking can cost in excess of $100,000 when all is said and done, especially if there is a lengthy trial involving multiple defendants.

Our Approach: Flat Fees in Most Cases and Payment Plans Sometimes Possible

For most felony narcotics cases within the Class E to Class B level, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell will typically use a flat fee structure.

Class A-II and A-I drug cases can sometimes be suitable for a flat fee arrangement, but more complex cases often require hybrid approaches or classic retainer agreements with hourly billing.

How Our Flat Fee Arrangements Work

The way our flat fee agreements work is that the client will be charged a certain amount for the entire case up to the point where the case is set for hearings and trial.

  • If the case does not resolve prior to hearings and trial, there will be an additional fee.
  • If the case resolves before hearings and trial, there is no additional fee.

Here is a basic explanation of the benefit of doing things this way and why the hearing and trial fee is kept separate from the initial flat fee.

Why Flat Fees Make Sense in Many Cases: Clarity and Certainty Regarding Cost (No Surprise Bills)

The reason we try to do flat fees where possible is that it gives clients clarity and certainty regarding how much the case will cost since everything is predetermined upfront. In other words, no surprise bills or hidden fees.

Why Our Flat Fee Arrangements Keep the Hearing and Trial Fee Separate

Additionally, the reason we handle the fee for hearings and trial separate from the initial flat fee is simple: not all cases get that far, so we don’t believe a client should pay for something they might not need. If it turns out we need a hearing or trial, then that is when it makes sense for the client to pay for that service.

Payment Plans Possible, But Only for Select Cases

Sometimes clients ask for payment plans, and the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can sometimes accommodate them so long as we are hired early enough in the case.

If You Need a Payment Plan, Speak With Us Early in Your Case

The reason payment plans work best when we are hired either before or immediately after an arrest is that there will be enough time to make a payment plan work.

This is especially true in felony drug cases since most will follow a similar timeline in the pre-trial stages, which will include the discovery phase and motion practice after an indictment.

This standard timeline often will give a client several months to make payments. However, if we are hired in the later stages of the case, a payment plan is typically not going to work.

Payment Plans Still Require a Significant Initial Deposit on Felony Drug Cases

Even if offered a payment plan, the client will still often need to make an initial deposit of several thousand dollars even on lower-level felony drug cases.

For example, if the flat fee for the case is $15,000 (plus the agreed upon fee for hearings and trial), a client might ask for a payment plan that works like this:

  • they put 50% down (so here, that’s $7,500)
  • and then pay the remainder off in 3 monthly installments of $2,500 until the entire flat fee is paid in full

Assuming that client hired us early in their case, a payment plan like that is often a pretty good solution for both sides on a felony narcotics case given the typical timeline for such cases.

Payment Methods

We make it easy for our clients to pay us by offering all the common payment methods such as credit card, cash, check, Zelle, and more.

What is your approach to representing people in custody?

Most drug charges in New York will result in a defendant being released on their own recognizance or with conditions at their arraignment except for some of the higher-level charges that do allow the judge to set bail.

Here is how we provide quality legal representation to clients that are in custody:

We Prioritize Cases Where Our Client is in Custody

When the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is hired to represent a client who is in custody due to high bail or being remanded, that case always becomes a top priority.

If there is a basis to ask for a reduction in bail or release, we will do so. If the judge doesn’t grant our application, then we leverage other tools like holding the DA’s feet to the fire when it comes to discovery and more to push the case forward.

We Move Quickly and with Relentless Precision

We have a great reputation among our clients of being very proactive and moving quicky, and we step that up even further when our client is incarcerated awaiting trial.

  • Motions need to be filed quickly and on time
  • Discovery needs to be reviewed fully and completely on an expedited schedule
  • We need to be ready for hearings and trial (no unnecessary adjournments and delays)

We Deliver on Our Commitment to Excellent Communication

Additionally, clear and constant communication with our client becomes even more critical when he or she is in custody. This includes:

  • Regularly scheduled calls and meetings
  • Frequent updates
  • Clear direction and advice
  • Carefully listening to what our clients need most

We speak with all of our clients regularly and take great pride in keeping them updated regarding strategy every step of the way, especially when they are being held in custody.

Ready to take the next step? Give us a call today for a free case review.

If you are looking for a local criminal defense attorney to fight your felony drug charges, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is ready to help.

All you need to do is Schedule Your Free Initial Phone Call to speak with a trusted criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor who has experience on both sides of the courtroom handling felony-level narcotics cases.

So if you’re ready to take action, so are we. Let’s get it done. Call us today.

Call 24/7 for NY Felony Narcotics Defense Lawyer

Page last updated on May 23rd, 2026.

Drug Crimes

Fight Your Felony Drug Case with a Former NYC Prosecutor and Detail-Oriented Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing felony drug charges in New York requires a laser-focused defense that leaves no stone unturned in challenging every aspect of the prosecution’s case.

At the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, felony narcotics cases are among the top cases we regularly handle in courts throughout the New York City and Westchester County area.

As a former Manhattan prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer, Michael J. McConnell is very familiar with how narcotics investigations are built, how the local DA’s offices prosecute these cases, and the top defense strategies that are available to defendants facing serious felony drug charges in New York.

To learn more about how the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can help you fight your felony narcotics case, you can schedule a free and confidential consultation by phone. You can give us a call 24/7 or Book Your Free Consultation Online.

Call Now

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell provides skilled and results-oriented criminal defense for people facing serious felony-level narcotics offenses in courts throughout the following areas:

So if you or a loved one was arrested for selling or possessing a large quantity of narcotics in any of the areas above, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is ready to help you build a strong and strategic defense from the start.

Book a Call with Michael J. McConnell

Does your office handle all levels of narcotics offenses?

Yes, Michael J. McConnell has experience handling all levels of felony narcotics crimes under Penal Law Article 220 ranging from Class E felonies to Class A-I drug felonies like Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st Degree under P.L. § 220.21.

Do you have experience dealing with the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York (“SNP”)?

Yes, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell has represented clients who were being prosecuted by the NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor and is familiar with how they conduct long-term investigations and build their cases.

What Makes SNP Cases Different

If you are being prosecuted by SNP, it is important to understand that they have “citywide jurisdiction” and tend to aggressively prosecute larger-scale and higher-level narcotics trafficking organizations. They work very closely with many different agencies, including specialized narcotics task forces and the DEA.

Defending Cases Versus SNP is Different Too

Defending cases brought by SNP often requires a much different approach than the typical felony drug case being prosecuted by one of the other local DA’s offices in NYC. It is therefore imperative to have a criminal defense attorney who is proactive and willing to leave no stone unturned in litigating cases against SNP.

What is your office’s approach to defending clients accused of serious drug crimes?

The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell takes a very proactive and focused approach to building a strong defense in narcotics cases. Here is a basic framework for how we do it.

Option 1: Litigation in Drug Cases

The most important part of building a great defense in a felony narcotics case in New York is to first identify the key issues. Once you identify the best issues to litigate, you then go on the attack by filing detailed motions to suppress evidence and building a trial strategy that exploits where the DA’s case is most vulnerable.

For example:

  • Did the police conduct an unconstitutional search?
  • Was this an illegal stop and frisk?
  • Did the officers have probable cause?
  • Was the search warrant valid?
  • If this was a consent search, was the consent actually valid?
  • If you made incriminating statements, did the cops violate your Miranda rights?
  • Does the DA have enough evidence to prove intent?
  • Are there any arguments that you did not actually or constructively possess the drugs?
  • Did law enforcement illegally plant the drugs in your car?
  • Is there an argument for entrapment?
  • Was the lab testing done properly? Or is it unreliable?

Every case is different, so not all of these issues will apply to every case and there are of course countless others not mentioned here that could certainly apply. The key is being able to identify these issues as early as possible and to build a comprehensive strategy around it.

Option 2: Mitigation in Drug Cases

Even in cases where the DA’s evidence appears strong, mitigation might be an option.

For example, maybe this is your first ever arrest. Or perhaps you were only selling drugs out of financial desperation or to feed your own addiction.

While every case will be different and not all cases will present a strong likelihood of possible mitigation, the Law Office of Michae J. McConnell has been able to successfully resolve felony narcotics cases through mitigation to help clients avoid jail time and in some cases avoid a criminal record altogether.

Of course, prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes as every case will have its own unique facts.

The key idea, however, is that even if the case against you appears strong for the DA on paper, it might be possible for your attorney to prepare a mitigation packet to help convince the DA that you deserve mercy or leniency.

Option 3: The Dual Path Strategy of Litigation and Mitigation

In some cases, both litigation and mitigation are good options. And when that is true, we essentially run a full court press using both of them to help our clients.

Implementing both of these strategies at the same time can give a skilled criminal defense lawyer like Michael J. McConnell a lot of leverage in plea negotiations even if the top charge against you is serious. And while not every case will be suitable for this dual-path strategy, identifying the ones where it is possible is a critical part of providing high-quality legal representation on felony drug cases in New York.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer in New York charge for a felony drug case?

This answer will always depend on several factors, including the level of the charge, the overall complexity of the case, the attorney’s experience and reputation, the fee structure, whether the case goes to trial, and more.

General Expectations Regarding Cost

In general, when all is said and done on a felony narcotics case in New York, clients can usually expect to pay somewhere within the following ranges (though of course prices can always vary significantly based on the particular circumstances of each case and the attorney):

  • $7,000 to $15,000 for lower-level cases
  • $10,000 to $30,000 on mid-level cases
  • and $20,000 to $50,000 or more on high-level cases

In fact, it is not unheard of for some cases involving complex conspiracies and larger-scale trafficking can cost in excess of $100,000 when all is said and done, especially if there is a lengthy trial involving multiple defendants.

Our Approach: Flat Fees in Most Cases and Payment Plans Sometimes Possible

For most felony narcotics cases within the Class E to Class B level, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell will typically use a flat fee structure.

Class A-II and A-I drug cases can sometimes be suitable for a flat fee arrangement, but more complex cases often require hybrid approaches or classic retainer agreements with hourly billing.

How Our Flat Fee Arrangements Work

The way our flat fee agreements work is that the client will be charged a certain amount for the entire case up to the point where the case is set for hearings and trial.

  • If the case does not resolve prior to hearings and trial, there will be an additional fee.
  • If the case resolves before hearings and trial, there is no additional fee.

Here is a basic explanation of the benefit of doing things this way and why the hearing and trial fee is kept separate from the initial flat fee.

Why Flat Fees Make Sense in Many Cases: Clarity and Certainty Regarding Cost (No Surprise Bills)

The reason we try to do flat fees where possible is that it gives clients clarity and certainty regarding how much the case will cost since everything is predetermined upfront. In other words, no surprise bills or hidden fees.

Why Our Flat Fee Arrangements Keep the Hearing and Trial Fee Separate

Additionally, the reason we handle the fee for hearings and trial separate from the initial flat fee is simple: not all cases get that far, so we don’t believe a client should pay for something they might not need. If it turns out we need a hearing or trial, then that is when it makes sense for the client to pay for that service.

Payment Plans Possible, But Only for Select Cases

Sometimes clients ask for payment plans, and the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell can sometimes accommodate them so long as we are hired early enough in the case.

If You Need a Payment Plan, Speak With Us Early in Your Case

The reason payment plans work best when we are hired either before or immediately after an arrest is that there will be enough time to make a payment plan work.

This is especially true in felony drug cases since most will follow a similar timeline in the pre-trial stages, which will include the discovery phase and motion practice after an indictment.

This standard timeline often will give a client several months to make payments. However, if we are hired in the later stages of the case, a payment plan is typically not going to work.

Payment Plans Still Require a Significant Initial Deposit on Felony Drug Cases

Even if offered a payment plan, the client will still often need to make an initial deposit of several thousand dollars even on lower-level felony drug cases.

For example, if the flat fee for the case is $15,000 (plus the agreed upon fee for hearings and trial), a client might ask for a payment plan that works like this:

  • they put 50% down (so here, that’s $7,500)
  • and then pay the remainder off in 3 monthly installments of $2,500 until the entire flat fee is paid in full

Assuming that client hired us early in their case, a payment plan like that is often a pretty good solution for both sides on a felony narcotics case given the typical timeline for such cases.

Payment Methods

We make it easy for our clients to pay us by offering all the common payment methods such as credit card, cash, check, Zelle, and more.

What is your approach to representing people in custody?

Most drug charges in New York will result in a defendant being released on their own recognizance or with conditions at their arraignment except for some of the higher-level charges that do allow the judge to set bail.

Here is how we provide quality legal representation to clients that are in custody:

We Prioritize Cases Where Our Client is in Custody

When the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is hired to represent a client who is in custody due to high bail or being remanded, that case always becomes a top priority.

If there is a basis to ask for a reduction in bail or release, we will do so. If the judge doesn’t grant our application, then we leverage other tools like holding the DA’s feet to the fire when it comes to discovery and more to push the case forward.

We Move Quickly and with Relentless Precision

We have a great reputation among our clients of being very proactive and moving quicky, and we step that up even further when our client is incarcerated awaiting trial.

  • Motions need to be filed quickly and on time
  • Discovery needs to be reviewed fully and completely on an expedited schedule
  • We need to be ready for hearings and trial (no unnecessary adjournments and delays)

We Deliver on Our Commitment to Excellent Communication

Additionally, clear and constant communication with our client becomes even more critical when he or she is in custody. This includes:

  • Regularly scheduled calls and meetings
  • Frequent updates
  • Clear direction and advice
  • Carefully listening to what our clients need most

We speak with all of our clients regularly and take great pride in keeping them updated regarding strategy every step of the way, especially when they are being held in custody.

Ready to take the next step? Give us a call today for a free case review.

If you are looking for a local criminal defense attorney to fight your felony drug charges, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is ready to help.

All you need to do is Schedule Your Free Initial Phone Call to speak with a trusted criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor who has experience on both sides of the courtroom handling felony-level narcotics cases.

So if you’re ready to take action, so are we. Let’s get it done. Call us today.

Call 24/7 for NY Felony Narcotics Defense Lawyer

Page last updated on May 23rd, 2026.