Knowledge is Power: Understanding New Jersey’s Drug Laws

New Jersey law enforcement is instituting unprecedented crack-downs regarding drug crimes in an effort to clean up the state. The battle to legalize marijuana continues while more and more teenagers and young adults in suburban middle-class neighborhoods are dying from heroin and prescription opioids.

If you find yourself charged with a drug offense, particularly if you’re picked up for possession with intent to sell, you have a big target on your back and you need to know the penalties you’re facing under the law. The best way to minimize the fallout from a drug charge is to enlist the help of an experienced and qualified criminal defense attorney.

Without a qualified attorney, someone arrested, charged and convicted of drug offenses in NJ may end up doing more time and paying more fines than necessary. Prosecutors are routinely looking to prosecute drug offenders to the fullest extend of the law and you need an advocate to ensure you’re treated fairly. For instance, the penalty for possessing over 50 grams of marijuana can very easily net you 18 months in jail and $15,000 fine. However, a skilled criminal defense lawyer who knows NJ drug laws may be able to get your charges tossed or negotiate your charges down and get you a less severe penalty.

If this is your first offense, an attorney can also help you enter the drug court system so you can take advantage of treatment options rather than jail time. New Jersey drug courts have helped numerous drug offenders avoid incarceration and get the help they need for their substance abuse issues. You will also need legal representation in the event of a drug-related DUI. These charges can be more serious than the simple disorderly persons charge one is likely to face for carrying a small amount of marijuana.

Regardless of your drug charges, whether you are charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute or even trafficking or manufacturing, an attorney will help you understand the charges you’re facing and help soften the prosecutorial blow.

The attorneys at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC are well-versed in New Jersey’s complex drug laws. Contact us today for a free consultation.