Highly Skilled Hudson County Cocaine Distribution Lawyers & Former Prosecutor Are Available 24/7 To Assist You By Contact Our Jersey City or Hoboken Office
New Jersey imposes harsh penalties when someone is convicted of selling, distributing or possession with intent to distribute cocaine. If you were charged with distribution of crack or powder cocaine following an arrest in North Bergen, Jersey City, Secaucus, Hoboken, Kearny or another local Hudson County municipality, you need to take this offense seriously since you are facing years in prison, tens of thousands of dollars in fines, a license suspension and other significant penalties. An attorney who is accomplished in defending clients charged with distribution of drugs in Hudson County is your best ammunition for escaping negative consequences.
There are several laws that can arise when someone is accused of distribution of cocaine or conspiracy to distribute this form of controlled dangerous substance (“CDS”). The core offense is found at N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 (“manufacturing, distributing or dispensing”), although it is common for someone embroiled in this variety of CDS distribution case to also be charged under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7 (“distribution on or within 1,000 feet of school property”) or N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1. Irrespective of the extent of your cocaine distribution charge(s), the attorneys at our firm have the skills to help you.
We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, a ten (10) lawyer criminal defense firm with offices in both Jersey City and Hoboken. More importantly, our team has over 150 years of experience handling possession with intent to distribute cases in Hudson County and elsewhere in the state. You should also know that the majority of our lawyers are former prosecutors that have served in positions like director of the drugs task force, major crimes and the entire trial division. There are also members of our staff who are certified criminal trial attorneys.
To speak to an attorney anytime of day or night about your case, representation at Central Judicial Processing, a Detention Hearing or in any other context, contact our Jersey City Office. Lawyers are available now at 201-309-0500.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at 574 Newark Avenue, Suite 204A, Jersey City, New Jersey and 50 Harrison Street, Suite 401, Hoboken, New Jersey, is ready to defend your offense for distribution, possession with intent to distribute or conspiracy to commit these activities in Secaucus, North Bergen, Union City, West New York, Weeehawken, Jersey City, Kearny, Hoboken, East Newark, Bayonne, Guttenberg or Harrison.
Charged With Distributing Cocaine in Jersey City, Secaucus, North Bergen, Hoboken, Bayonne or Another Hudson County Municipality?
There are certain towns in Hudson County that have a higher incident of individuals being charged with distribution of cocaine. Irrespective, the law governing guilt or innocence is the same – – N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. This statute makes it illegal for someone to knowingly or purposely “manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense cocaine”. When an individual violates this law by engaging in selling, distributing or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, subsections (b)(1), (b)(2) and (b)(3) set forth the penalties that may be imposed. The severity of these consequences hinge on the quantity involved in the distribution. The following is a breakdown of the grading:
- 5 ounces or more of cocaine results in a first degree crime and exposure to 10 to 20 years in a New Jersey State Prison and up to a $500,000 fine.
- At least one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces results in a second degree crime, 5-10 years of imprisonment and a fine that can reach $150,000.
- Less than one-half ounce results in a third degree crime, 3-5 years in prison and a fine of as much as $75,000.
In addition to the aforesaid penalties, an individual convicted of distribution of cocaine at the Hudson County Superior Court, Jersey City, NJ, is subject to a driver’s license suspension of 6-12 months, community service, drug counseling and mandatory court assessments. If the conduct occurred within 1,000 feet of school property, an additional criminal charge and penalties apply for distribution in a school zone. Similar ramifications arise where the activities occur within 500 feet of a public park or housing project. Possession of a firearm while engaging in distribution also results in enhanced penalties.
Parole Ineligibility. There are minimum terms of confinement that that arise where someone is charged with first degree distribution of cocaine or, alternatively, where someone falls under the Brimage Guidelines. When either of these factors apply, an individual must serve a mandatory minimum prison sentence before they can be considered for parole.
Diversion Programs. An individual can seek relief from a distribution charge by applying for a diversion program like Pretrial Intervention or Hudson County Drug Court. The benefit of resolving a case in this manner is that the accused has the opportunity to avoid many of the penalties for cocaine distribution if they are granted a diversion and successfully complete the related program.
Jersey City NJ Cocaine Distribution Defense Attorneys
As you can tell, the penalties that may be imposed at the county courthouse in Jersey City if you are convicted of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute are life changing. The ten (10) cocaine distribution lawyers at the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall have the skill set to not only spot but exploit all potential search issues. Our office has a group of private investigators that can also be engaged to investigate any potential police misconduct. This is important, because if a we are able to exploit a search issue and successfully argue a motion to suppress the evidence, then that cocaine cannot be used at trial against you. Obviously, if key evidence, like the cocaine, is declared inadmissible at trial, then the prosecution will have no choice but to dismiss the cocaine distribution charges against you. To obtain a free initial consultation with an attorney on our team, call our Jersey City or Hoboken Office. A lawyer is available 24/7 at (201) 309-0500.
