Our Hudson County Criminal Defense Firm Has A Team Of Former County Prosecutors With Decades Of Success Defending Cocaine Charges
Cocaine is a controlled dangerous substance (“CDS”) that has drawn a great deal of attention from law enforcement agencies such as the Secaucus Police Department. You probably learned this first hand given the research you are doing. What we can tell you is that you should definitely do your very best to avoid a conviction because cocaine possession is a third degree crime, an indictable felony, that can severely impact your future. A talented criminal lawyer can go a long way in making sure you escape a conviction, criminal record and significant penalties for possession of cocaine in Secaucus or another Hudson County municipality.
We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, a team of accomplished lawyers that have credentials that are truly rare. Our firm can offer you:
- 200 years of combined experience handling cases involving possession, distribution and possession with intent to distribute drugs like cocaine
- Former county prosecutors that have served as Director of the Drugs Task Force, Major Crimes, Juvenile Unit and even an entire Trial Division
- Ten (10) lawyers whose practice is limited to defense
- Certified criminal trial attorneys on staff
- Decades of success representing clients charged with cocaine possession
Our attorneys put their knowledge of the law and highly developed trial skills to work aggressively fighting to protect you against the harsh penalties and consequences of a cocaine conviction. Their extensive experience arms them with innovative and effective strategies so you have the best chance to avoid a conviction through dismissal, downgrade or diversionary program such as Pretrial Intervention. An attorney on staff is available 24/7 to discuss your charge. Contact our Jersey City Office across from the Hudson County Superior Court at 201-309-0500 to speak to a lawyer in a free consultation now.
Cocaine Possession Offense in Secaucus
Cocaine is a Schedule II CDS that cannot be possessed in any quantity in New Jersey without violating N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. More specifically, you cannot purposely or knowingly obtain or possess pounder or crack (a.k.a. rock) cocaine without a prescription. Searches and seizures are common methods used by police to gather evidence to support a cocaine possession charge. It is possible to challenge the methods used by the police to search for evidence or to obtain a confession or incriminating statement. The U.S. Constitution protects you from unlawful searches and seizures and limits the methods police use to question individuals suspected of committing crimes. Motions to suppress can be effective weapons against unlawfully seized evidence or statements obtained in violation of your constitutional rights. A successful suppression motion could result in a judge denying the prosecution the opportunity to use the evidence or statement against you to prove you committed a cocaine possession offense. We also make certain police and the laboratories they use to analyze the substance they claim is cocaine is, in fact, cocaine. It is not uncommon for laboratories to make mistakes or for mishandling of samples to lead to erroneous identification of a substance as cocaine. Investigating the facts of the case and painstakingly going over the evidence to identify flaws and defenses to weaken the prosecution case that could lead to a dismissal or a reduction of the charge.
Secaucus Cocaine Possession Penalties
A conviction for violating N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 by possessing less than a half ounce of cocaine is a crime of the third degree punishable by the following penalties:
A fine of up to $35,000
Up to five years in prison
Suspension of your driver’s license for at least six months and up to 24 months
If the possession occurred within 1,000 feet of a school zone, a judge can add at least 100 hours of community service to your sentence.
Secaucus Charge for Distributing or Possession With Intent To Distribute Cocaine
Depending upon the quantity of cocaine involved, as well as your activities or intent with the drug, you can face distribution offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. For example, possessing five ounces or more of cocaine is a first degree crime punishable by imprisonment for anywhere from 10 to 20 years and a fine of $500,000. If the quantity of cocaine is less than five ounces but exceeds a half ounce, you can be charged with a second degree crime for selling or intent to distribute and face 5 to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.
Secaucus Cocaine Possession Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with cocaine possession, the attorney you choose to represent you should have substantial experience defending this offense in Hudson County. Our lawyers have precisely what you need at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall with over than 2 centuries of collective time in practice and, more importantly, a long history of success in representing individuals arrested in Secaucus and elsewhere for possession and distribution of cocaine. Contact the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall for a free consultation with a savvy criminal defense attorney 24 hours a day and seven days a week. We can be reached at 201-309-0500.
