Despite a push to make marijuana legal in New Jersey, it remained illegal for recreational use in New Jersey, just like many other controlled dangerous substances (illicit drugs). If you are found to be in possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine (meth), LSD, PCP or other illicit drugs in New Jersey, you could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and pay a fine of up to $35,000.
UPDATE: As of December 17,2020 the State Legislature of New Jersey passed a bill allowing for the recreational used of marijuana. Governor Murphy just needs to sign it to become law. Please contact our office if you had prior or pending marijuana charges.
But you may also avoid punishment after being arrested for drug possession if you are represented by a capable New Jersey drug possession attorney. The defense lawyers at the Pagliara Law Group can help if are charged with possession of drugs in New Jersey.
The New Jersey court system is set up to allow non-violent offenders to seek rehabilitation and avoid jail, particularly in drug possession cases. Your attorney from the Pagliara Law Group may be able to get you into a diversion program and/or treatment, and ultimately get drug possession charges removed from your record.
Not taking a drug possession arrest seriously could impact the rest of your life. A conviction for drug possession will be immediately costly and may cause you problems in the future as you seek employment, money for college, housing or public benefits. We can help. Call or fill out our form for a free initial consultation with one of our experienced New Jersey drug possession lawyers.
Drug possession charges in New Jersey include possessing, using, being under the influence of, or failing to properly dispose of controlled dangerous substances, unless they were legally prescribed to you.
Drug possession in New Jersey is a third-degree offense in most cases, punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $35,000. This applies to Schedule I, II, III or IV controlled dangerous substances, as well as counterfeit versions of such drugs and their analogs, or closely matching substitutes.
However, though marijuana remains a Schedule I drug (along with heroin, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and other hard drugs), it is treated differently. Be aware of recent changes in the law that are imminent.
Possession of 50 grams (1.76 ounces) or less of marijuana without a prescription obtained through the Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP), or 5 grams or less of hashish leads to a disorderly persons charge handled in municipal court and punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.
Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana or more than 5 grams of hashish is a fourth-degree offense, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Possession of a Schedule V controlled dangerous substance, such as prescription drugs with low doses of codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine, diphenoxylate, opium, etc., is also a fourth-degree offense, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Penalties may be doubled for a second or subsequent drug possession offense.
First-offense penalties for drug possession are more severe if you are charged with the crime having occurred in a:
It is also not uncommon for prosecutors to add charges of drug distribution (selling drugs) to a possession charge if there is a large quantity of drugs involved or certain other circumstances exist. Sometimes the additional charge, which carries much harsher penalties, is filed just to intimidate a drug possession defendant.
Facing drug possession charges is a serious matter, but an arrest or indictment is not a guilty verdict. There are several steps to the criminal process in New Jersey. With proper legal representation by Pagliara Law Group, there are multiple opportunities to avoid harsh penalties or even a guilty verdict.
Unlike courts of law, police assume guilt when they arrest a person. But, despite what police may tell you about evidence against you, the prosecution knows it must be able to prove its case in court to obtain a conviction.
There are many reasons drug possession cases are dismissed or charges are reduced before they go to court. Defendants are also found not guilty in court every day. If you have been arrested for drug possession charges, the sooner you get an attorney from Pagliara Law Group involved in your drug possession case, the sooner we can challenge the evidence against you or even how you were arrested.
An attorney from Pagliara Law Group can begin to investigate the charges against you as soon as we are engaged as your defense attorneys. Among the questions we will ask and answer are:
To create a solid defense for you against drug possession charges, your drug possession attorney from the Pagliara Law Group Law will explore every aspect of the allegations against you. Again, the burden of proof lis with the prosecution. We make sure the state’s case is never an easy slam dunk.
Contact us today to schedule a free legal consultation. We recognize that most of our clients have many questions about being arrested for drug possession. We’ll answer your questions and address issues you may not have thought of. We will look after your best interests.
As we investigate your case, the evidence we uncover or problems we identify in the state’s case may allow us to negotiate a dismissal or reduction in charges against you. It is not unusual for prosecutors to agree to a plea bargain or to drop charges once we raise questions about the validity of their case.
When necessary, we go to trial in drug possession cases ready to demonstrate to the judge and jury that a not-guilty verdict serves justice best in our client’s case.
Another approach to drug possession cases under New Jersey law is to seek rehabilitation. If you have a drug problem and are ready to turn your life around, the New Jersey court system offers two diversion programs for nonviolent first-time offenders:
Additionally, a veterans’ diversion program has recently been established in New Jersey for active and retired members of the military. Service members or retirees accused of nonviolent crimes who have been diagnosed with mental illness, or who law enforcement, family members or friends say have exhibited symptoms of mental illness, are eligible. The program allows them to avoid trial and, upon successful completion of the program, have charges expunged from their records.
We can assist and advise you about the availability of PTI, drug court or the veterans’ diversion program in your case, and/or discuss addiction treatment and recovery programs available independent of the New Jersey court system and how they may benefit you.
Our team will work diligently to seek the best available outcome for you when you face drug possession charges. When an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney is on the case, there are opportunities to avoid harsh punishment. Contact us at Pagliara Law Group to discuss how we can help you.
Don’t run the risk of the harsh punishment allowed under New Jersey law for drug possession. Exercise your right to remain silent and call our experienced New Jersey drug crime lawyers as soon as possible. An initial legal consultation is always no charge.
201-470-4181