If you’ve been charged with a drug offense, the penalties you may be facing can be very harsh. A drug charge that leads to conviction can have serious consequences on your life. Along with the harsh penalties, you may be unable to obtain gainful employment with a tarnished permanent record and any child custody may be in jeopardy due to the charge. If you have a drug charge against you, you should consult with an experienced attorney. The Law Office of Michael A. Policastro has the skill and experience to help you with your drug charge in Middlesex County New Jersey. Contact our firm today.
Marijuana Possession Attorneys
New Jersey has mandatory minimum penalties for the non-medical use of marijuana. Possession of marijuana under 50 grams is considered a disorderly person’s offense. It can carry a penalty of up to 100 hours of community service and, if the crime occurred within 1000 feet of a school, additional penalties may be imposed. If you possess over 50 grams of marijuana, this is considered a felony and can carry a prison sentence of up to 18 months and up to a $25,000.00 fine. A conviction stemming from marijuana possession can tarnish your permanent record and have life-altering consequences.
Cocaine Possession Attorneys
If you are charged with possession of cocaine in New Jersey, you should be prepared to face some serious penalties. If you are charged with possession of less than half an ounce of cocaine, that is known as simple possession. Although a third-degree offense, possession of less than half of an ounce of cocaine can lead to harsh penalties. The penalties for a third-degree offense may include a fine between $35,000.00 and $75,000.00, a maximum prison sentence of 5 years in a New Jersey prison, 100 hours of community service if you are within 1000 feet of a school, the loss of your driver’s license (even if you were not driving when found with the cocaine), and a mandatory enrollment in a drug education and rehabilitation program.
Heroin Possession Attorneys
Possession of heroin is a very serious crime that can yield severe penalties if convicted. Heroin possession can be charged as both a federal and state criminal offense. Possession of any amount of heroin, no matter how small, is considered a third-degree crime that carries a fine of up to $35,000.00 and up to 5 years in prison. Penalties can increase if the amount of the heroin increases and whether or not there was intent to distribute. In addition, if you are found with heroin in or around a school zone, public housing, or park, the penalties can also increase.
Prescription Drug Offenses
If you are charged with an illegal prescription drug possession offense, it can carry serious penalties. The penalties can vary depending on the method in which the drugs were obtained, and the amount in your possession at the time of the charge. If the drugs were obtained illegally, i.e. without a prescription, there may be another crime of fraud or theft on top of the possession crime. Someone who is convicted of illegal possession of prescription drugs can face penalties that range from $1,000 to $300,000 in fines and/or 6 months in jail and up to 10 years in prison. The penalties can be determined based on a number of factors, including the degree of the charge, if it was a first or subsequent offense, the amount of the drug in your possession, and whether or not the drug was obtained with a valid prescription.
The degree of offense and penalties associated with a drug charge can vary depending on other factors. If you are charged with drug trafficking of any of the above-referenced narcotics, you may be subject to harsher penalties.
Contact a drug crime defense attorney in Middlesex County, NJ
If you have been arrested for drug possession, drug trafficking or distribution, or drug manufacturing, contact the Law Office of Michael A. Policastro for a consultation. It is important to fight these charges. Our firm is ready to step in and represent you when facing these tough matters. For a consultation with an effective legal team, contact the Law Office of Michael A. Policastro for a consultation to discuss your legal matter.
