Drug Charges

How Our Attorneys Can Help You Fight Drug Charges in New Jersey

Our dedicated lawyers can help in every aspect of a drug offense case. Whether we’re negotiating for bail, investigating your case, or advising you on strategy, we’ve got your back. If you’re facing a drug charge, get our attorneys involved as soon as you can. We can take steps to protect you from day one and can advise you on what you should say and do throughout the process.

Our experienced drug offense criminal defense lawyers can help by:

• Starting your defense immediately. There’s no time to waste after a drug offense charge. Our lawyers will quickly take action to defend you. We’re available nights, weekends, and at any other time you need help.
• Negotiating for low bail. When you’re held by the police, it’s critical to have an experienced and understanding lawyer who can fight for you. Our lawyers have years of experience advocating for our clients and negotiating for the lowest possible bail.
• Investigating your case. Our lawyers will look into every aspect of your case and will fight for you every step of the way. We’ll review every piece of evidence brought against you and work to throw out illegal or questionable evidence. As former county and municipal prosecutors, we understand how prosecutors work. We’ll use our experience for you.
• Advising you on your options. When you’re facing drug offense charges, there may be alternatives to jail including rehabilitation, conditional discharge, and others. Don’t assume that drug charges mean you’ll end up in jail. Our experienced attorneys may be able to help you find another path.
• Fighting for dismissal or reduced charges. In many drug charge cases, it is possible to have the charges dismissed or reduced. Our lawyers have a deep knowledge of criminal law in New Jersey. We can work to get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
• Zealously representing you in court. In many cases, a drug charge defense attorney can get drug charges reduced or dismissed. However, there may be times when a trial is required. We bring decades of trial experience to every case, and we’re proud to provide every client with the quality representation they need. In situations where a conviction is unavoidable, our attorneys will fight for minimum and/or alternative sentences.

When you’re facing a drug charge, an experienced lawyer can make a difference. Our lawyers will work tirelessly to protect you. We’ll use all of our knowledge, experience, and resources to help you fight. If you are facing drug charges, don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact our Monmouth County drug offense attorneys for a free consultation today.

Penalties for Drug Crimes in New Jersey

Drug crimes in New Jersey come with stiff penalties. Major fines and lengthy prison sentences are common, even for minor offenses. Penalties depend on the type and amount of controlled substances involved, and what activity was involved.

In New Jersey, drug offense penalties include:

• Use of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of small amounts of marijuana, and other minor offenses are usually charged as a disorderly persons offense. These charges can carry jail time and a fine up to $1,000.
• Possessing controlled substances can be considered a crime in the third or fourth degree, depending on the types of drugs involved. Those convicted of the crime may face a fine up to $35,000 and up to five years in jail. Additional penalties apply if the possession occurs near a school. If the individual has subsequent convictions on the same charge, the fines and prison time can double.
• Manufacture and distribution of drugs carry more severe penalties that will depend on the nature of the substance and the amount involved. These charges can range from first degree crimes to fourth degree crimes. First degree crimes can carry a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and in some cases fines up to $500,000 may be imposed. Any time that charges of drug manufacture or distribution arise, it’s essential to have an experienced attorney on your side. An attorney can help protect you and can work to reduce the charges against you.

Drug charges are serious in New Jersey. If you’re facing a drug charge in Monmouth County, get the legal help you need as soon as you can. Our experienced drug offense defense attorneys can advise you on your options and can fight for you every step of the way.

How Drugs Are Classified in New Jersey

Drugs, also known as controlled dangerous substances, are strictly regulated under New Jersey and federal law. Each drug is classified into a category, or schedule, depending on the nature of the drug, its effects, its potential for abuse, and its use in medical treatment.

Drugs are categorized into one of five different schedules depending on their characteristics:

• Schedule I includes drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. These drugs are the most tightly controlled and carry some of the most severe penalties for possession, manufacture, and distribution. Common Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, marijuana, and other substances.
• Schedule II dangerous substances have a high risk of abuse and dependence but do have limited use in medical treatment. Many prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone fall into this category, along with drugs such as cocaine and related drugs.
• Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for abuse or dependence and several recognized medical uses. This includes substances such as Tylenol with codeine, steroids, ketamine, and others.
• Schedule IV drugs have a low potential for abuse and many recognized medical uses. Examples include Xanax, Tramadol, Darvon, and other drugs.
• Schedule V controlled dangerous substances have the fewest dangers relative to the other drugs, including low risk of abuse and low risk of dependence. Examples include cough medicines with low levels of codeine, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin, and others.

When you’re facing drug charges in New Jersey, it’s critical to understand how the drug is classified since the classification dictates the penalties that you’ll face. A drug offense lawyer can help you understand your specific charges and how you can fight them. If you’re facing drug offense charges, speak with our lawyers today about next steps.

Common Defenses to Drug Charges in New Jersey

Drug charges can bring serious penalties, and it may feel like there’s no way to defend against them. However, our experienced criminal defense attorneys can help you fight back by challenging evidence, advising you on your options, and guiding you throughout the process.

Every case is unique, and a lawyer’s work will depend on the circumstances. However, when clients are facing a drug charge, there are some common defenses, including:

• Discovering whether the police search and seizure was illegal. Police have to follow strict procedures that dictate when they can perform a search and seizure. Police must have a probable cause for most searches and seizures. If they don’t have probable cause, or the search was otherwise invalid, the search and seizure may be illegal. An illegal search and seizure may be grounds for dismissal of any charges.
• Determining whether you truly possessed the drugs at the time of arrest. Sometimes, individuals are charged with possession even if they didn’t have control of drugs at the time of arrest. Many times the drugs belonged to someone else but that person wasn’t around. For example, if a friend visits and leaves drugs at your house without your knowledge, there are legitimate questions as to whether you truly possessed the drugs in question.
• Questioning intent and distribution charges. Individuals may be charged with intent to distribute drugs when simple possession is a more appropriate charge. Lawyers will look at the evidence in a case and explore whether the charge can be reduced to a possession charge. If you’re charged with distribution, there may be ways to protect you.
• Demanding proof that the drugs in question are actually controlled substances. Sometimes, police and prosecutors assume that the substances they seized are controlled substances. This isn’t always the case. A common defense of a drug charge is to require lab tests and to challenge questionable results brought by the prosecution.

These and many other defenses may be available in your case. If you’re charged with a drug offense, our experienced lawyers can help you navigate the charge and can work to defend you at every step. In a drug charge, the prosecution must prove their case. Our dedicated drug offense attorneys can help protect you by showing any flaws in their case.

Types of Drug Cases We Handle

Our firm handles a wide range of drug offense cases. No matter what type of drug offense charge you’re facing in Monmouth County, our dedicated attorneys are here to help. With decades of experience handling criminal defense and drug offense charges, our attorneys can guide you and advocate for you throughout the process.

At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we handle cases involving:

When you’re facing drug charges in Monmouth County, get the legal help and resources you need. Every moment counts, so it’s important to get a trusted and knowledgeable lawyer on your side as soon as possible. Contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall today.

Talk to Our Monmouth County Drug Offense Defense Lawyers

If you’re facing a drug offense charge, it’s important to get help as soon as you can. Drug laws are complex, confusing, and a wrong statement or action can lead you into serious danger. Our drug charge defense lawyers understand the law and know how to fight for you throughout the process. Whether you’re facing possession or more serious charges of manufacturing or distribution, our lawyers can advise you and give you the legal guidance you need.

At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our dedicated attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience representing clients. With experience as county and municipal attorneys, our attorneys know what it takes to defend you and your rights during this trying time. When you’re charged with a drug offense, we’re here to help.

We’re available to help 24/7, and we offer a free consultation about your case. If you’re facing a drug offense charge, don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us online or call us now.