Egg Harbor Township Drug Paraphernalia Attorneys
In New Jersey, criminal charges for the possession of drug paraphernalia are relatively common because New Jersey law states a broad definition of what constitutes drug paraphernalia, prohibiting any item used or intended to be used to store or ingest an illegal substance. This broad definition can include items such as jars, straws, plastic baggies, rolling papers, glass pipes, and many other items. Additionally, these charges are often combined with other criminal charges such as charges for possession of controlled dangerous substances like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, or other drug-related charges. Although a conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia may sound relatively insignificant as compared to other drug-related charges, this conviction unfortunately affects defendants convicted of the offense with the same stigma experienced by those convicted of other drug-related offenses. Any drug-related conviction, including one for paraphernalia, will become a part of your criminal record, and can hinder your future prospects for employment or affect your current employment status. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our powerful legal defense team has put our skill and experience to work for decades aggressively defending clients in Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Egg Harbor Township, Pleasantville, Atlantic City, and throughout Atlantic County. For a free consultation to find out how our expertise can help resolve your matter, call us today at 855-450-8310.
New Jersey Drug Paraphernalia Law
N.J.S.A. § 2C:36-2 makes it a crime to possess drug paraphernalia in New Jersey. This statute indicates that:
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or to possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance, controlled substance analog or toxic chemical in violation of the provisions of chapter 35 of this title. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
Under this law, a defendant convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia in New Jersey is considered guilty of a disorderly persons offense, and faces potential penalties for this offense of up to 6 months’ jail time, probation, a driver’s license suspension, and a fine of $1,000. Unfortunately, you can be charged with this crime even if the authorities do not find any controlled dangerous substances in your possession when you are arrested. Additionally, since this crime is considered a drug crime, New Jersey takes this offense very seriously and prosecutors generally will not make plea bargain deals to reduce or dismiss these charges. However, with an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, you will be able to take advantage of all possible legal strategies in order to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome. Therefore, it is important to work with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who will easily recognize opportunities to make arguments in support of suppressing the evidence against you, barring evidence based on issues like illegal searches, or proving that a reasonable doubt exists as to whether you are guilty of the charges you are facing. Additionally, our experienced attorneys are well versed in navigating the legal system in order to increase your chances of successfully taking advantage of alternative options such as New Jersey’s Conditional Discharge program in order to get your charges dismissed or expunged from your record as soon as possible under the circumstances at hand. Our powerful legal team’s decades of experience, and inside knowledge of the legal system based on many of our attorneys’ prior experience working as prosecutors, allow us to negotiate and advocate zealously on your behalf in order to reach the best possible outcome in your case.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you have been arrested or charged with a drug paraphernalia offense in Atlantic County, please call us for a free consultation. We will review your matter a provide insight regarding how we can structure the best possible strategy for you. Call us at 855-450-8310 any time, or email us, for a free consultation to learn how the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can help.
