Facing an accusation of criminal activity is a serious situation that should not be taken lightly. It is especially serious for an individual who has a history of criminal charges. When a person has a criminal history, the potential consequences may be increased substantially.

This is the situation in which a former Oneonta, New York, man may soon find himself. The man has a previous felony drug conviction from 2010, and was already being held in the Otsego County Jail for an unrelated drug charge when he was arrested on an unrelated drug charge last week.

According to authorities, he was charged with third-degree sale of a controlled substance. Authorities allege that the man sold heroin in Oneonta in January.

These charges could result in very severe consequences. Drug penalties are usually determined by three main factors:

  • The type of drug
  • The amount of the drug
  • The accused's criminal history

It seems that in this case a very important aspect may be the man's criminal background. The prosecution and the judge are unlikely to overlook his past. His past has already been taken into consideration for his bail which has been increased to $75,000 due to the multiple current charges he is facing.

If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison. However, with a strong criminal defense, it is sometimes possible to reach more reasonable outcomes.

It is important for all individuals accused of criminal activity to know that they have rights that must be upheld. If those rights are not respected, it can have a significant impact on charges and consequences.

Source: WKTV.com, "Man incarcerated at Otsego County Jail facing new drug charges," July 10, 2012