Charged With Intent to Distribute in Freehold New Jersey
Being charged with distribution of illicit drugs or prescription medications considered controlled dangerous substances in Monmouth County is a serious matter and requires highly experienced legal represenation. New Jersey criminal law (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5) prescribes severe penalties for conviction of drug distribution. The penalties escalate depending on the type and quantity of drugs involved and for selling drugs in a school zone or other area afforded enhanced protection.
It is critical that you obtain the assistance of an astute criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after an arrest for possession with intent to distribute in Freehold, Howell, Middletown, Ocean Township, Eatontown, Belmar or another Monmouth County municipality, There are ways to have distribution of CDS charges reduced, dismissed or deferred if an experienced Freehold drug crimes attorney gets involved with your case right away.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall provides the largest criminal defense team in Monmouth County to help you fight charges of drug distribution. Among the advantages of being represented by the Law Offices of Jonathan Marshall are:
- Ten seasoned defense lawyers who have dedicated their legal practices exclusively to representing the accused
- Certified criminal trial attorneys
- More than 200 years of combined experience defending individuals charged with drug crimes
- Defense attorneys who are former Monmouth County and municipal prosecutors, directors of county and municipal crime units, including a Major Crimes Bureau, Special Operations, Domestic Violence Unit, Guns Task Force and an entire Trial Division
- A successful track record that includes countless trials resulting in dismissals.
Lawyers from our offices at Freehold in Monmouth County, N.J., are available 24/7 to provide prompt legal representation. You have legal rights after an arrest or indictment on CDS distribution charges. Let us protect your rights, review the facts of your case and tell you how we can help. Contact us in Freehold as soon as you are able to at 877-450-8301 for a free initial legal consultation.
Severe Penalties for Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances in Freehold, NJ
Illicit drugs are known legally as controlled substances or controlled dangerous substances. Without authorization (such as a pharmacy license), it is illegal under New Jersey law to knowingly or purposely:
- Manufacture, distribute, dispense, or to possess or have under your control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or
- Create, distribute, or possess or have under your control with intent to distribute, a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance.
The federal government has classified drugs, substances and certain chemicals used to make drugs into five distinct categories, or “schedules,” according to the drug’s acceptable medical use and its abuse or dependency potential.
New Jersey law bases drug crime penalties on the type of drug involved in the alleged crime according to how it is scheduled and the quantity of the drugs seized.
Here is the federal controlled substances schedule and examples of the drugs (“drugs, substances or chemicals”) in each classification:
Schedule I: Drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
- Heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), peyote
Schedule II: Drugs with a high potential for abuse potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.
- Cocaine, methamphetamine (meth), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin
Schedule III: Drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
- Products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone
Schedule IV: Drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence.
- Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Ambien, Tramadol
Schedule V: Drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV, consisting of preparations (generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes) containing limited quantities of certain narcotics.
- Cough medicine with codeine (Robitussin AC), Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin
New Jersey law prescribes harsh penalties for manufacturing or distributing, or intention to manufacture or distribute, certain controlled dangerous substances. Penalties also apply to the drug’s analogs (similar drugs) or counterfeits (fake drugs). They include:
Heroin, Cocaine, Methamphetamine
5 or more ounces
- First-degree indictable offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine ($300,000 for meth). One third to one half of the sentence must be served before parole becomes available.
More than half an ounce but less than 5 ounces
- Second-degree indictable offense punishable by 5-10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.
Less than half an ounce
- Third-degree indictable offense punishable by 3-5 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.
LSD, Phencyclidine (PCP), Psilocybin (mushrooms)
100 milligrams or more
- First-degree indictable offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. One third to one half of the sentence must be served before parole becomes available.
Less than 100 milligrams
- Second-degree indictable offense punishable by 5-10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.
Marijuana, Hashish
25 pounds or more of marijuana, 50 or more marijuana plants (regardless of weight), or 5 pounds or more of hashish
- First-degree indictable offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $300,000 fine. One third to one half of the sentence must be served before parole becomes available.
5 pounds or more but less than 25 pounds of marijuana, 10-49 marijuana plants (regardless of weight), or 1 pound to less than 5 pounds of hash.
- Second-degree indictable offense punishable by 5-10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.
1 ounce or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana or 5 grams to less than 1 pound of hash.
- Third-degree indictable offense punishable by 3 years to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Less than 1 ounce of marijuana or less than 5 grams of hashish.
- Fourth-degree indictable offense punishable by 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Criminal distribution or intention to distribute a Schedule I, II, III or IV drug not specifically addressed by New Jersey law is a third-degree indictable offense. Conviction is punishable by 3-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Criminal distribution or intention to distribute a Schedule V drug in New Jersey is a fourth-degree indictable offense punishable by 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Prison time and fines double for distribution of controlled dangerous substances to minors or pregnant women. A threat of deadly force or other violence connected to a drug distribution charge also increases the potential prison sentence and fine.
New Jersey law also prescribes increased penalties for dealing drugs in a:
- School zone or school bus
- Public housing project
- Public park.
Being found guilty of distributing drugs in Monmouth County will be costly and will most likely require prison time if charges include a Schedule I or II drug. If you are facing drug distribution charges, it’s crucial to have the assistance of an experienced Freehold drug distribution defense attorney. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our Monmouth County drug crimes lawyers understand what is at stake and what is necessary to ensure the best possible outcome for you.
We’ll Defend You Against Monmouth County Drug Distribution Charges
Attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the knowledge, skills and determination to fight for you if you face drug trafficking charges filed in Monmouth County. We are former prosecutors and public defenders well versed in New Jersey drug laws. We know how police and prosecutors operate and use our insider knowledge to the advantage of our clients. Our experience as former prosecutors and public defenders working in courtrooms across Monmouth County enables us to determine the best defense options available to you.
In many drug distribution cases, police have found a large quantity of drugs and/or paraphernalia such as scales or sandwich bags, which they allege to be for packaging and distributing drugs. Sometimes a defendant has been under suspicion and/or surveillance or may have been reported to police. Sometimes, police happen upon a quantity of drugs and alleged drug paraphernalia and arrest anyone nearby who they can claim possessed or exercised control over the contraband drugs.
But the true circumstances behind drug distribution charges are often more complicated. In many cases, we find that police proceeded without having all of the facts. Such cases provide many potential opportunities to challenge drug distribution charges and have them dismissed or reduced to possession charges.
To develop the best legal defense against the drug distribution charges you face, we will investigate the circumstances before and after your arrest. We will obtain statements from any witnesses, as well as police reports and other evidence connected to the case. We will develop a defense supported by the facts of your case. Common flaws in criminal cases include:
- Illegal search and seizure
- Illegal arrest
- Failure to warn of Miranda rights
- Improper suspect lineup / mistaken identity
- False or impeachable witness testimony
- Unavailable witnesses
- Inability to prove possession or control of drugs seized upon your arrest
- Inability to prove intent to sell or distribute drugs seized
- Faulty testing and identification of drugs or drug quantity
- Faulty or fabricated evidence
- Problems with the chain of custody of drugs presented as evidence
- Bias
- Other prosecutorial and/or police misconduct.
Once we have fully investigated your case, we will seek to negotiate a reduction or dismissal of your charges or pursue alternatives to conviction based on the specific facts of the case. These negotiations are aided by the professional relationships our attorneys have developed with Monmouth County prosecutors over our decades of legal practice.
If your case must go to trial, the prosecution will be required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We will use evidence gathered in our investigation as well as our extensive litigation experience to challenge, refute and raise doubt about the prosecution’s case. We always prepare cases as if we will go to trial, and we have a strong track record of obtaining “not guilty” verdicts.
Potential Diversion Programs Available in Monmouth County Drug Distribution Cases
New Jersey imposes harsh penalties for criminal distribution of drugs, but the state also provides the opportunity for defendants to avoid incarceration through probationary diversion programs. A first-time offender with no violence associated with his or her case may qualify for a diversion program that keeps them out of prison.
These programs are strict and meant for defendants who are serious about dealing with drug, alcohol and/or behavioral problems. The charges are dropped after successful completion. But the failure to complete the requirements of the diversion program can result in immediate imposition of the full sentence based on your original drug distribution charges.
The programs are:
- Pretrial Intervention (PTI). This is 1 to 3 years on average of court supervised probation requiring regular status update appearances before a judge. Probationers may be required to undergo psychological and/or drug and alcohol evaluations, rehabilitation and random urine testing.
- Drug Court. Referral requires frequent drug testing and court appearances, along with successfully completing a rehabilitation program and participating in a 12-step recovery program. Participants are also provided counseling and healthcare, education and job training resources.
- Veterans’ Diversion. Active and retired members of the military who have been charged with a nonviolent crime may enter diversion if they have been diagnosed with a mental illness or if law enforcement, family members or friends say they have exhibited symptoms of mental illness. The program provides behavioral health and addiction counseling.
Your attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will work with you to achieve the most favorable outcome available in your drug distribution case. Being represented by an experienced and respected criminal defense attorney who has professional relationships in Monmouth County ensures you the best opportunity of dealing with charges of drug distribution and avoiding the harsh penalties.
Contact Our NJ Law Offices About Drug Distribution Charges in Monmouth County
The Monmouth County attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can provide you with a strategic and effective defense against drug distribution charges filed in Holmdel, Long Branch, Keansburg, Aberdeen, Keyport, Red Bank, Freehold or elsewhere in Monmouth County, New Jersey. We are local to Monmouth County and have more than 200 years of combined experience defending Monmouth County residents like you or your loved one, including in drug distribution cases.
Before answering police questions, call us toll free at 877-450-8301 in Freehold or Red Bank or contact us online to learn how we can protect you from the criminal charges you face.
