Our Team Includes a Former Drug Task Force Director & Other Accomplished Defense Attorneys Who Are Ready To Defend Your Cocaine Possession Offense
Cocaine possession continues to be a primary target of law enforcement throughout New Jersey. The high potential for abuse by users and its popularity as the illicit drug of choice on the streets of Union City, Hudson County and statewide, increase the risk of addiction and being arrested. If you have been arrested and charged with cocaine possession in Union City NJ, you face imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of as much as $35,000 and a permanent criminal record labeling you as a felony offender. As bleak as your future might appear at this moment, an experienced criminal lawyer has options that may allow you to avoid the penalties and stigma of a conviction.
The legal team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has more than 200 years of experiencing aggressively fighting for the rights of individuals accused of cocaine possession in Hudson County Superior Court. Our attorneys devote their practices exclusively to criminal defense to give them superior knowledge of the law and outstanding skills in the courtroom. Many of our attorneys also possess insight into how cocaine possession cases are investigated and prosecuted from previously serving as county and municipal prosecutors. Their experience makes it possible for the criminal defense lawyers at our firm to evaluate the case and provide you options for how it should be handled in order to give you the best chance to avoid the harsh consequences of a conviction.
An attorney on our team is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to speak with you during a free initial consultation. Call us now at (201) 309-0500 for immediate assistance.
Cocaine Possession Offense in Union City
Whether you know it as “c,” “coke,” “blow,” “powder,” or any of its other street names, possession of cocaine is a criminal offense defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 as purposely or knowingly possessing or obtaining cocaine. The law applies to both the powder that can be snorted or mixed with water and injected as well as to “crack,” which is a base form of the drug that must be heated to create a substance the user can smoke.
An arrest for possession of cocaine may be made even if police do not find the drug on your person. Constructive possession exists when there is evidence leading the police to believe that you had knowledge of the presence of cocaine and intended to take control of it later.
Constructive possession commonly arises when police search a vehicle or a location occupied by multiple people. Everyone in the vehicle or at the location may be charged with cocaine possession unless there is evidence of possession by only one of the individuals.
We thoroughly review the facts with you and analyze the evidence to identify defenses to use to challenge and attack the prosecution case. For example, an arrest for violating N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 frequently begins as a traffic stop by the police followed by a search of the vehicle and the seizure of a quantity of cocaine. Unless police have reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle and probable cause to search it, the evidence seized may be challenged by a motion to suppress.
Motions to suppress evidence seized in a search or statements you made to the police ask a judge to prevent the statements or evidence from being used by the prosecution when police violated your rights under the state and federal constitutions to obtain it. Extensive experience gives the attorneys on our staff the skills necessary to identify such defenses and craft innovate and effective arguments that may weaken the prosecution case and result in a dismissal or other favorable outcome.
Union City Cocaine Possession Penalties
Cocaine possession in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 is a crime of the third degree punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of as much as $35,000. If the amount of cocaine exceeds half an ounce, harsher penalties may be imposed or you could be charged with possession with intent to sell or distribute the drug.
We prepare each case to be ready for trial, but we always explore available options that could avoid a conviction without the necessity of a trial. Diversion programs may be available that may allow you to avoid a conviction upon successful completion of the program. The primary avenue of relief in this regard is Pretrial Intervention although Drug Court is also an option in extreme cases.
Union City Cocaine Possession Defense Attorney
Every cocaine possession defense attorney at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is dedicated to providing superior representation at a time when you need someone capable of fighting to maintain your freedom and prevent of a permanent criminal record. Call us now at (201) 309-0500 or at any time of the day or night for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
