Being charged or arrested for a drug crime could mean facing serious consequences ranging from drug treatment and fines to significant jail time. A drug crime conviction could also impact your future by showing up on a background check for a new job. When you are worried and unsure where to turn, our skilled criminal defense attorney with over 16 years of experience could help.
A Piscataway drug lawyer could fight for your best interests, evaluating alleged evidence for weaknesses and raising defenses that could lead to reduced or dismissed charges. When everything hangs in the balance, you need a tenacious advocate in your corner. Call our firm today to begin reviewing the details of your situation with our team.
Drug Crimes We Handle
Drug crimes range from simple possession to trafficking. Marijuana, opioids, heroin, LSD, cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine, PCP, amphetamines, valium, and ecstasy are some of the drugs considered controlled dangerous substances covered by New Jersey’s drug laws.
Some of the drug charges our team helps people manage include:
- Drug trafficking
- Prescription drug offenses
- Possession of paraphernalia
- Manufacturing and distribution
- Possession of a controlled substance
Each offense has different elements the prosecutor needs to prove for a conviction. Anyone charged with a drug crime in Piscataway or elsewhere in the state could benefit from consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible.
Drug Crime Penalties
Drug crimes are punished according to what drug was involved, how much of the substance was involved, and whether the defendant has a prior criminal history. Possible sentences can vary. For example, while adult possession of 6 ounces or less of marijuana has been decriminalized, possession of amounts over that can lead to fines and jail time (with first offenders eligible for drug diversion programs). Conviction of intent to distribute five or more ounces of cocaine, however, is punishable by a fine of up to $500,000 and 20 years in prison.
Drug offenses in schools are treated more harshly, as are convictions involving sales to minors. Other aggravating factors also could apply in a Piscataway drug prosecution, and a defendant facing any type of drug charge should consider contacting an attorney who knows about drug sentencing and the best ways to fight charges or lessen the impact of potential penalties.
Potential Drug Charge Defenses
A drug crime charge is not a drug crime conviction, and it is never too early to have the alleged evidence vetted by a seasoned Piscataway drug attorney with a track record of sticking up for the underdog.
Some potential defenses target the nature of the charge—maybe the police got it wrong. This could be the case if they were someone else’s drugs or if the police made a mistake in classifying the amount or type of drug.
Other possible defenses target the police procedures used to arrest the defendant. If the police found the drugs during an illegal search, the case could be dismissed. Similarly, a coerced confession or unconstitutional lineup could turn things in the defendant’s favor.
Given the impact a drug conviction can have on someone’s life, anyone facing a dangerous controlled substance offense in Piscataway should consider getting a lawyer on board who knows how to fight charges on as many fronts as possible.
Contact a Piscataway Drug Attorney for a Strong Defense
When you have been charged with a drug crime, you need a fearless advocate who believes in your future and is not afraid to take a case to trial if need be. It is never too soon to start building your defense with the assistance of a skilled Piscataway drug lawyer.
This is not the time to sit back and hope things turn around on their own. Call today for a consultation.