Atlantic City Drug Possession Attorney
New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer
If you have been arrested on a drug charge in New Jersey, you need straight answers from an attorney you can trust.
Simple possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana is a disorderly persons offense (similar to a misdemeanor in other states). Possession of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, or any other CDS (Controlled Dangerous Substance) is a crime, which are handled in the Superior Court. A crime in New Jersey is similar to felony in other states. In addition to potential prison time, a conviction of any drug crime can affect your ability to find work or obtain housing in the future. If you are a college student, some drug convictions can make it impossible to receive federal student loans.
Our defense lawyers defend clients in drug cases throughout South Jersey, including but not limited to Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties, as well as the cities of Atlantic City, Cape May Court House, Pleasantville, and Toms River, and people who have been subject to drug searches and seizures anywhere along the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway.
The primary defenses in a drug possession or drug distribution case often have to do with your contact with law enforcement. If your case involved a motor vehicle stop, was the stop constitutional? If you were questioned by police while in custody, were you read your Miranda rights and did you waive them? If a search resulted in finding narcotics, was the search constitutional? If the police used a confidential informant, are they willing to release the informant's name? Everyone has a Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses against them.
Another option in New Jersey is the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI). However, this program is not available for all drug crimes. If you are accepted into this program your case will be diverted from the normal course of prosecution in Superior Court. Instead of jail time, you will report to a probation officer and comply with other conditions such as drug treatment and community service. If you complete this program your charges will be dismissed after a period of time ranging from six months to three years. Most importantly, you will not have a conviction on your record. This program is available on a one-time basis, generally to first-time offenders.
Learn More about Drug Charges:
Free initial consultation: If you have been charged with drug possession or another drug charge, contact an experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyer about your case. Lawyers are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, including holidays.
