Susan Michaud, 41, a Cherry Hill resident, was arrested along with 40 other New Jersey residents after a recent police operation in Camden targeting people attempting to buy heroin. After this undercover operation, many residents of the suburban areas surrounding Camden, including Michaud, are facing criminal charges stemming from their attempts to buy heroin.
Camden County Heroin Possession Laws
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1, New Jersey law makes it a crime to attempt to commit any crime prohibited by law. Additionally, the same harsh penalties apply for offenders merely accused of having attempted to commit a crime, even if the crime is one that would have been victimless. Therefore, Michaud, along with the many other New Jersey residents who were arrested during this police operation, will be subject to charges for attempting to possess heroin under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, the statute that prohibits possessing heroin as well as other controlled substances. This offense, which is a third-degree crime, carries harsh penalties including a possible jail sentence of up to 5 years, as well as fines that could amount to as much as $35,000, and a 6 month mandatory driver’s license suspension. These penalties apply for possessing (or attempting to possess) even a small amount of heroin, but potential penalties could become even steeper if Michaud is accused of trying to buy more than one half ounce of heroin, or if the circumstances of her case allow the authorities and prosecutor any room to argue that she intended to distribute the heroin she was allegedly trying to purchase. If the allegations involve an attempt to purchase more than one half ounce of heroin, the criminal charges then become a second-degree offense, and the penalties would then increase to include 5-10 years of potential jail time. If an attempt to buy five ounces or more is at issue, the offense would escalate further, becoming a first-degree crime, which would then carry potential penalties of 10-20 years in jail and fines of up to $500,000.
If you or a loved one are facing drug related charges, such as possession of a controlled substance, attempted possession of a controlled substance, or intent to distribute a controlled substance, contact our office today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you minimize the effect of the potentially harsh consequences on your life.
