Gloucester County Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers

Gloucester County Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers

A conviction for a drug crime in Gloucester County can have a lasting negative impact on your future. Drug offenses can result in substantial fines and prison time, whether you’re charged with being under the influence of a particular drug, or whether you’re facing charges of possession, distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking.

In addition, being convicted of a drug charge leaves you with a criminal record that potentially limits your options for employment and housing, among other far-reaching effects.

The Gloucester County drug crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have represented clients on a wide array of drug offenses. Our legal team consists of both former prosecutors and public defenders, so we know Gloucester County’s courts well. What’s more, we design our defense strategy based on more than 100 combined years of legal experience.

If you or a family member has been charged with a drug crime in Franklin Township, Deptford Township, Washington Township, Glassboro, Harrison Township, Swedesboro, Mantua Township, Woolwich Township, Monroe Township, or another Gloucester County municipality, please contact us online or call our Woodbury office to learn how we can help. Our initial consultation is always free, and holds you to no obligation.

Common Types of Drug Crime Cases Our Gloucester County Criminal Defense Law Firm Handles

We’ve taken on clients facing a range of New Jersey drug offenses. We’ve frequently handled drug possession cases under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, and drug paraphernalia cases under 2c:36-2, as well as:

• Marijuana Possession
• Marijuana Possession of Less Than 50 Grams
• Needle or Syringe Possession
• Use of or Being Under the Influence of Drugs
• Cocaine Possession
• Heroin Possession
• Prescription Drug Offenses
• Imitation Drug Offenses
• Ecstasy Offenses
• Methamphetamine Offenses
• Drug Distribution
• Failure to Make Lawful Disposition of Drugs
• License Suspension for Drug Offenses
• Booby Trapping & Fortifying Premises Used to Sell Drugs
• Possessing, Distributing, or Selling Drugs in a School Zone
• Federal Drug Crimes

How New Jersey Classifies Controlled Dangerous Substances

In Gloucester County and the rest of New Jersey, the penalties for drug crimes vary depending on the degree of the charge. Regardless, these penalties can be harsh. A drug crime classified as a petty disorderly persons offense can be punishable by a fine up to $500 while a conviction on certain drug charges can entail 10 to 20 years in a state prison and a fine up to $200,000.

The degree of severity depends in part on the amount of drug, as well as how state law identifies certain drugs as “controlled dangerous substances,” or CDS. In general, CDSs are highly regulated because they have a large potential for abuse.

Here’s a brief overview of the different categories of CDS:

• Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substances – These have no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Includes synthetic marijuana and marijuana, hash, MDMA, heroin, psilocybin mushrooms, and LSD (or acid).
• Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substances – These are accepted for medical use in treatment nationwide, or for medical use with severe restrictions. Examples include methadone, cocaine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, Ritalin, fentanyl, Adderall, and methamphetamines.
• Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substances – These are accepted for medical use in treatment nationwide and have a lesser potential for abuse than those listed in Schedules I and II and. They include testosterone, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and Tylenol with codeine.
• Schedule IV Controlled Dangerous Substances – These are also accepted for medical use in treatment nationwide and have a lower potential for abuse compared with the substances in Schedule III. However, they can lead to limited psychological or physical dependence. They include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), zolpidem (Ambien), and Darvocet (propoxyphene and acetaminophen).
• Schedule V Controlled Dangerous Substances – These, too, are accepted for medical use in treatment nationwide. They have a low potential for abuse compared with the substances in Schedule IV, and they have limited psychological or physical dependence. They include low doses of opium, codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine, and diphenoxylate.

Common Defenses to Drug Charges in Gloucester County

As Gloucester County defense attorneys, we’ve seen many times how charges can be reduced, a case can be dismissed, or defendants can be found not guilty. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors often act like defendants face an open-and-shut case, but that’s rarely true.

Our knowledgeable New Jersey drug crimes lawyers will ask thorough questions to build your defense, such as:

• Were the drugs in your “possession”?
• Were you subject to an illegal search and seizure to obtain the evidence against you?
• Was there probable cause for a search or a traffic stop?
• Did a law enforcement officer find drugs on you while patting you down for a weapon?
• Were you identified in a misleading way, such as a flawed lineup?
• If test results are part of the evidence against you, was there any indication that the equipment that obtained those results was faulty?
• If you’re charged with possession with intent to distribute, is this based on possession of drug paraphernalia, a large sum of cash, or a household scale?
• Did an officer read your Miranda rights whenever you did not think you were free to leave or once you were arrested?

At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we tenaciously advocate for your rights through every step of the legal process. We believe in our clients’ right to a robust defense, and in the prosecution’s duty to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

More Information on New Jersey Drug Laws

Many of our clients want to research their charges and understand New Jersey’s drug laws law better. To assist you, we’ve gathered some resources below.

• Definitions of Key Terms under New Jersey Drug Laws
• N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (“CDS”)
• N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. Manufacture or Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances (“CDS”)
• N.J.S.A. 2C:43-3. Fines for Drug & Controlled Dangerous Substance (“CDS”) Offenses
• N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4.1. Booby Traps and Fortification of Premises Used to Distribute CDS
• N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7. Distribution or Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances in a School Zone
• N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1. Sell or Distribute in Public Park or Housing Project
• N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3. Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network

Talk to a Gloucester County Drug Crimes Attorney for Free Today

The Gloucester County legal team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is glad to answer any questions you have about New Jersey’s drug laws, the potential penalties you face, and any other concerns you have about your particular situation.

We offer a free initial, no-obligation consultation so you can learn more about what we can do for you. Please visit us today at our office at 38 Cooper St., Suite 204, Woodbury, NJ, 08096. You’re also welcome to contact us through our website’s consultation form or call us now.