New Jersey Heroin Possession Defense Lawyers Will Fight For You
Heroin usage and related offenses, like heroin possession and distribution, have grown to be a giant problem in New Jersey. The expansion of heroin distribution has resulted in progressively stronger heroin laws in NJ.
Heroin is pervasive and not limited to one ethnicity or socio-economic subset or place. New Jersey's waterway access has made it one of the largest importers of prohibited drugs like heroin in the US.
With the increase in heroin crimes, arrests for heroin have also jumped. Despite this growing crisis, a heroin arrest isn't a prison sentence. Everyone has rights that must be guarded with the help of an attorney serving Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey and the neighboring towns.
Were you arrested for heroin possession or distribution in Atlantic Highlands, NJ? Get advice from the heroin attorneys at Villani & DeLuca before it's too late.
Heroin Arrests According to New Jersey Law (N.J.S.A 2C:35-10)
Heroin is a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance in NJ and possession is treated as a third degree crime. A heroin possession conviction can end with up to a five year jail sentence and a fine of up to $35,000.
Are you battling heroin addiction in NJ? Heroin is ruining the well-being of many young people in New Jersey on a yearly basis. If you are a heroin addict and have been arrested and charged with a crime, contact a NJ criminal defense attorney for help.
NJ Drug Possession Lawyers with Extensive Experience
The criminal defense lawyers at Villani & DeLuca have years of experience battling heroin charges. Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. is a practiced heroin defense lawyer who routinely defends clients against criminal charges, including possession and intent to distribute heroin. Mr. Villani can make use of his prior experience prosecuting criminal drug charges in the New Jersey municipal courts to build the tightest case possible for you.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
You can't afford to face heroin charges and the resulting sentence without a strong drug attorney on your side. Your ability to find a job will also be negatively impacted if found guilty on heroin charges. Jail time and fines can be tremendously destructive to the outlook of your life.
The context of your arrest can influence the final result of your court case. The severity of your heroin charge is partially based on the amount of heroin in your possession at the time of the arrest. Your case may be complicated if you were found distributing heroin in an official school zone.
Simple Heroin Possession in New Jersey
Even though you were arrested for heroin possession or distribution does not mean that you are doomed to imprisonment. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and conditional discharge are a couple of options that may be available to someone who has been arrested for a first offense. You may also contest your arrest based on the actions of arresting police officers.
If you have been arrested for the intent to sell, your sentence will be more serious than possession charges. Selling heroin carries bigger fines, longer prison sentences and a suspension of a driver's license.
Heroin Distribution and Intent to Distribute Laws in New Jersey
Intending to distribute and actually distributing have no practical difference in courts in NJ. 3rd degree heroin distribution involves less than 0.5 ounces of heroin, while weights of more than 5 ounces be a crime in the first degree. If you are convicted of heroin distribution in the first degree, you can end up with a prison term of10 to 20 years with a fine that reaches half a millions dollars.
Heroin Distribution and Possession in or Near a School Zone
Fines and other penalties like prison time are increased substantially when the heroin charge occurs in or near a school zone, which includes school buses and encompasses areas up to 1,000 feet from the building or vehicle. If you are caught in possession of heroin in a designated school zone, there is a mandatory imprisonment sentence with fines of up to $150,000 if convicted. Your attorney should have successfully fought heroin cases on their resume so that your drug charges are kept to a minimum if found guilty.
Don't Allow Heroin Charges to Destroy Your Life
Drug arrests for heroin possession or distribution don't need to completely destroy your future. You can get your life back with help from a criminal defense lawyer committed to getting you the best results possible. The proper defense strategy can get a favorable decision.
If an illicit search and seizure of your house occurred before an arrest, you may have grounds to have charges lessened. Seek advice from your drug attorney if you have special circumstances based on your arrest.
An additional approach to avoiding sentencing may be to pursue a conditional discharge, depending on whether this is your first heroin arrest. With a conditional discharge, you are receive probation and may avoid a drug arrest on your permanent record.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) is another important program that can be an option for heroin addicts. PTI is a rehabilitation program that can be requested in lieu of serving jail time. This option is designed to help people living in NJ kick their drug habit and avoid prison.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Possession Attorneys are Available 24/7 in Atlantic Highlands
Converse with the attorneys at Villani & DeLuca in a free assessment in order to discuss your arrest. We will speak to you any time of day and any day of the year. Start organizing your defense in Atlantic Highlands with a phone call to (732) 709-7757.