Juvenile Drug Possession

Juvenile Drug Possession Lawyer in Hudson County, New Jersey

Juvenile Drug Possession Attorney in Jersey City, NJ

The Hudson County, New Jersey juvenile drug defense lawyers at the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall have the experience to successfully protect your child’s rights. It is important to note here that the juvenile criminal justice system in New Jersey operates differently then the adult criminal justice system. The main objective of the juvenile criminal justice system in Hudson County, NJ is to rehabilitate the juvenile rather then incarcerate, like the adult criminal justice system. With that being said, if the juvenile drug offense is serious, like heroin possession, cocaine distribution or possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, then the system will not only seek to rehabilitate but to also punish the juvenile as well. The Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall has been representing juveniles charged with aggravated assault, possession of prescription drugs, robbery and burglary for over fifteen years. Due to the fact that the juvenile criminal justice system is run differently then the adult criminal justice system, you want to make sure that your juvenile drug distribution defense attorney has the necessary experience in juvenile criminal law. Some of the potential penalties which a juvenile caught possessing marijuana in Jersey City faces are, a criminal record, house arrest, successful completion of a court ordered rehabilitation program and up to a two year loss of their driving privileges or their ability to obtain a valid drivers license. The Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall has over one hundred years of combined experience on staff, including over twenty-five years of prior prosecuting experience. If you or a loved one has been charged with a juvenile criminal charge in Hudson County, NJ, in towns like Hoboken, Union City, Jersey City, Secaucus, Weehawken, North Bergen or Bayonne, we can help. Remember, pursuant to the New Jersey Court Rules, unless the juvenile’s matter is set to be heard at a juvenile conference committee, the juvenile must report to the Hudson County Superior Court, Family Division, on their scheduled court date with an attorney. If you would like a free initial consultation about your juvenile’s drug distribution charges, please contact our Jersey City, New Jersey office directly at (201) 309-1800.

Hudson County, NJ Juvenile Drug Possession Lawyers: N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10

The most frequent charge that the Hudson County, New Jersey juvenile criminal justice system is forced to preside over is possession of marijuana under 50 grams. This offense is considered a disorderly persons offense, which is more commonly referred to as misdemeanor. Typically, the Hudson County, New Jersey marijuana possession lawyers at the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall are able to get their clients what is known as a differed disposition or adjournment in contemplation of a dismissal (ACD). If the juvenile is able to receive either a differed disposition or a ACD, the juvenile will be placed on a non-supervised probationary period and if they complete the term without issue, then the pending criminal charges will be dismissed. However, if the juvenile is caught possessing either cocaine, heroin, molly or roxy, then the juvenile will be facing a third degree felony. Unlike the juvenile who gets caught possessing marijuana in Jersey City, a juvenile caught possessing cocaine or heroin will have a much tougher time trying to obtain a deferred disposition or ACD. However, it without a question is still possible, it will just take a lot of convincing from a juvenile criminal defense lawyer. Defense counsel, will have to put forward enough compelling reasons to convince the Judge and Prosecution, that their client is deserving the benefits that come from participating in a diversionary program.

What is my child facing if convicted of drug possession in NJ?

Although the juvenile criminal justice systems overall objective is different then the adult criminal justice system, the degree of the drug offense that the juvenile is facing will be determined identical to the adult system. The degree of the drug offense in which the juvenile will be facing will be determined by the quantity of drugs possessed by the juvenile at the time of their arrest. With that being said, the potential for a juvenile to be incarcerated if convicted of a drug offense in Hudson County, is drastically less than an adult. Here is a chart to show the potential exposure a child is facing as compared to an adult convicted of the same offense.

  • 1st Degree Felony:
    • Adult System = 20 Years
    • Juvenile System = 4 Years
  • 2nd Degree Felony:
    • Adult System = 10 Years
    • Juvenile System = 3 Years
  • 3rd Degree Felony:
    • Adult System = 5 Years
    • Juvenile System = 2 Years
  • Fourth Degree Felony
    • Adult System = 18 Months
    • Juvenile System = 1 Year
  • Disorderly Persons Offense:
    • Adult System = 6 Months
    • Juvenile System = 6 Months

Where will my child’s case be heard?

If your child has been charged with a juvenile offense, like aggravated assault, marijuana distribution or burglary, the matter will be heard in the Family Division of the Superior Court, in the county where the juvenile resides. For example, if the juvenile’s permanent residence is in Hudson County, but the incident occurred in Bergen County,  the matter will be heard at 595 Newark Ave in Jersey City, New Jersey in the Family Division of the Hudson County Superior Court. However, if there is a co-defendant involved in the case, and the crime occurred in another county and the co-defendant resides in that county, then the matter will be heard in that county.

Hudson County NJ Juvenile Drug Possession Attorneys

With eight juvenile criminal defense attorneys on staff, the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall has the skill set and man power required to successfully protect your child’s right. We fully understand what a criminal conviction can mean for your juvenile’s future. If you or a loved one has been charged with possessing marijuana, distributing cocaine, aggravated assault or burglary, in Hudson County, New Jersey and would like a free initial consultation about your options please contact our Jersey City Office directly at (201) 309-1800.