New Jersey Drug Charge Defense Attorneys
New Jersey Drug Offenses FAQ
What are drug offenses?
Any illegal drug, including marijuana, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, methamphetamines, LSD and many others, is banned from use, sale or possession in the state of New Jersey. Having illegally obtained prescription medication is also against the law and falls under illegal drugs. In addition the possession, use or sale of drug paraphernalia is against state law and can lead to a drug offense conviction.
What are the punishments for drug offenses?
Every drug offense case is different and is handled differently by the police, the federal or state government, and in some instances other social services. New Jersey has some of the strictest laws regarding illegal drug use in the United States. Every person found possessing, using or selling an illegal drug or paraphernalia faces mandatory jail time and fines that can be as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While the punishments for having very large amounts of drugs, especially "hard" drugs like cocaine or crack are very severe, the punishments for even having a small amount of marijuana can lead to over a year in jail and fines of thousands of dollars. This can also include having prescription medication in your possession that is not yours or having drug paraphernalia, which is very loosely defined under current New Jersey law.
Are there any medical marijuana laws in New Jersey?
New Jersey is currently considering making limited marijuana available for medical purposes but currently any form of the drug is illegal regardless of the context in which it is being used or grown. Cultivation of marijuana for any reason can lead to a drug sales conviction which carries with it even stronger penalties.
Are there even stricter punishments for different drug offenses?
Any drug sold or used within a certain distance from a New Jersey public park, building or school carries with it a much stricter set of punishments that increase jail time and the fine amount. In addition anyone convicted of selling drugs to a minor or a pregnant woman faces a doubling of the regular drug sales conviction.
Large quantities of drugs are seen as being used for sale or trafficking and you can face a lifetime of jail if you are convicted.
If you are convicted of manufacturing drugs or involved in smuggling them from other states or countries you can face federal charges and longer jail times and more fines.
How can I defend myself against a drug charge in New Jersey?
It is strongly suggested that you find an experienced New Jersey drug offenses lawyer to help you with your case. Many drug offense related cases can be won if certain rights were intruded on by the investigating police officer, if evidence was tainted or illegally found, if the drugs were not the suspect's or if the police did not follow procedure during the arrest and discovery of the illegal activity.
Since you either face mandatory jail time and fines in the thousands of dollars, as well as a criminal record or having your case thrown out of court it is highly suggested that you have an effective legal team on your side.
What can your law firm do for me?
Lependorf & Silverstein have years of experience handling drug cases throughout New Jersey. Our law office focuses only on criminal matters and DUI cases, allowing us to concentrate on our particular specialties. We are one of the few law teams offering free consultations on any first time case and can begin helping you or your loved one as soon as you call or contact us.
We are always upfront about what we can do for you and any potential outcome of your case. During your initial consultation you will be advised as to how we think you should best proceed with your case. Call or contact us at our office in Princeton. There is no obligation and every call is strictly confidential.
If you or a loved one has been accused of drug crimes in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.