The Team of Talented Former Prosecutors In Our Jersey City Office Includes A Drug Task Force Director Who Is Ready To Discuss Your Possession of CDS Case
Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) is a crime that New Jersey combats with laws authorizing harsh and severe penalties following a conviction. In fact, drug possession in New Jersey is almost always an indictable felony offense falling outside the jurisdiction of the Guttenberg Municipal Court. There are stiff consequences when someone illegally possesses any variety of CDS whether the drug is heroin, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy or marijuana. An accomplished defense lawyer is you best option to avoid the harsh penalties and life-long consequences associated with a conviction for possession in Guttenberg New Jersey.
The Guttenberg criminal attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have exactly what is needed to mount an effective defense to your drug possession charge. Our team of talented lawyers has qualifications that include:
- Over 200 years of combined experience representing clients charged with possession of drugs/cds like cocaine, lsd, mdma (i.e. molly or ecstasy), methamphetamine, Xanax, Fentanyl, marijuana and prescription legend drugs
- 10 lawyers that dedicate their work exclusively to criminal defense
- Former county prosecutors that have served in key positions in this area such as Director of the Drug Task Force, Major Crimes, Special Operations and an entire Trial Division
- Certified criminal trial attorneys
- An office located on Newark Avenue directly across from the Criminal Division of the Hudson County Superior Court
If you were arrested or are under investigation for possession of cds, contact our Jersey City Office anytime 24/7 for a free consultation with an attorney at the firm. A lawyer is available now by calling 201-309-0500.
Controlled Dangerous Substance Possession in Bayonne New Jersey
State and federal drug laws list CDS and their compounds on schedules numbered from I through V depending upon the potential for abuse and dependency and whether or not there is a recognized medical use. The most dangerous drugs are listed in Schedule I while drugs with the lowest possibility of abuse and addiction are in Schedule V. Examples of Schedule I CDS include heroin, LSD, mescaline, peyote, methamphetamine and marijuana. According to the state and federal government Schedule I drugs are highly addictive and possess no known medical applications. Cocaine, which you might believe would be a Schedule I CDS because of its highly addictive nature, is actually a Schedule II CDS along with Oxycodone, Fentanyl and other opioids (e.g. Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Percocet, etc.) because there are recognized medical uses for the drugs when prescribed by and used under the supervision of a physician. The offense of drug possession is defined in N.J.S.A. 2C 35-10 as engaging in any of the following activities:
Possessed a CDS without having a valid prescription from a medical professional.
Used or were under the influence of a CDS.
Failed to make lawful disposition of a CDS.
Drugs need not be in your actual physical possession for police to arrest and charge you with possession of a CDS. As long as a CDS is within close proximity and they can prove you intended to exercise control over them, police can arrest you based upon your constructive possession of the CDS. You should also know that a separate law contained at N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5 can apply when the cds involves a prescription legend drug like Xanax, Suboxone or any other form that is customarily dispensed by a pharmacist.
Drug Possession Penalties
Penalties for possession of a CDS vary depending upon the type and quantity. Possession of a CDS listed in Schedules I, II, III or IV is an indictable offense of the third degree punishable by a fine of as much as $35,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. Possession of a Schedule V CDS is an indictable offense of the fourth degree punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of as much as $15,000. Motions to suppress evidence can be essential to the success of a defense strategy. Our attorneys are skilled at reviewing the facts of a drug possession case and identifying situations where police searches and seizure of evidence violates your rights under state law and the U.S. Constitution. Challenging the evidence could result in a judge refusing to allow it to be used by the prosecution to prove you committed the offense.
Bayonne NJ Drug Possession Defense Attorney
When your freedom and future are in jeopardy because of a drug possession offense in Bayonne, it requires a talented Hudson County drug possession lawyer. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the skills and knowledge to provide an innovative and hard-hitting defense. Call us now at 201-309-0500 so that one of our attorneys can thoroughly review the facts of your case to provide you with the insight you need in this challenging time.
