Heroin Defense Lawyers in Highlands, New Jersey Will Work to Clear Your Charges
Due to more and more heroin being brought into New Jersey, the state is paying closer attention in an effort to limit the influx. With law enforcement's eyes on heroin, more users and sellers are getting arrested.
Heroin is pervasive and not restricted to one ethnicity or socio-economic sector or place. Situated at a hub of the heroin import industry, New Jersey is inundated with some of the most pure and most affordable heroin in the United States, which substantially plays a role in the pervasive usage throughout the state.
Being charged with heroin possession or distribution can have life-long consequences and demands a carefully constructed legal strategy. Your rights need to be protected in the event of major drug offenses like these.
If you or a family member has been charged with heroin possession or intent to distribute in Highlands, NJ, contact the law practice of Villani & DeLuca for seasoned drug lawyers to guide you through the arraignment process and to preserve your rights.
Heroin Arrests According to New Jersey Law (N.J.S.A 2C:35-10)
Being convicted of heroin possession can lead to large fines and 5 years prison time.
Heroin usage has escalated extremely fast in New Jersey within a very small time frame. Heroin is the “number one health care crisis” in NJ according to the Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use by New Jersey Youths and Young Adults. If you are battling heroin addiction and have been charged with possession of heroin, you need an adept NJ drug lawyer, experienced in handling heroin charges.
NJ Heroin Possession Lawyers with Extensive Experience
Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. has been defending clients for drug possession and distribution crimes since Villani & DeLuca opened in 1996. Mr. Villani has worked as a criminal prosecutor, which gives him a unique perspective on fighting drug charges that not many heroin defense lawyers can draw from.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
Your long term plans may depend heavily on the outcome of your criminal charges. The consequences for being found guilty can be as significant as twenty years in prison for a multiple offender of heroin crimes.
Your verdict has a lot to do with the circumstances of your arrest. The total number of ounces of heroin in your possession during your arrest will help determine if you should be charged with possession or distribution. You may also have an issue if you were arrested in a designated school zone.
Simple Heroin Possession in New Jersey
Heroin possession does not mean an automatic prison sentence in New Jersey. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and conditional discharge are a couple of options for first-time offenders. You may also fight the grounds of your arrest based on whether the proper legal procedures were followed.
If you have been charged with the intent to sell, your sentence will be more serious than simple possession. Heroin possession with the intent to distribute can result in five years in jail and a fine of up to $75,000, with license suspension for a period of six months to one year, if found guilty.
Heroin Distribution and Intent to Distribute Laws in New Jersey
Intending to distribute and actually distributing have no practical difference in courts in New Jersey. 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
An arrest for heroin possession in a school zone can lead to penalties that are stricter than under normal circumstances. A school zone does not only include the immediate vicinity around school building. If you are caught distributing heroin within 1,000 feet of a school bus, for example, the school zone laws of NJ will apply to your charges.
Don't Permit Heroin Charges to Ruin Your Life
Numerous paths are open to you with the help of an attorney who has defended charges similar to yours in the past. With a strong defense, your heroin defense lawyer can help achieve the best possible outcome.
If an unlawful search and seizure of your residence took place before an arrest, you may have a strong case to have charges lessened. A drug attorney will advise you based on what occurred prior to and during your arrest.
Another alternative to avoiding sentencing may be to pursue a conditional discharge, depending on whether this is your first heroin arrest. Conditional discharge is a way of fending off a criminal record under the assumption that you will go on probation.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI). PTI places heroin users in a rehabilitation center rather than prison.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Defense Lawyers are Ready For Your Call
Are you looking for a lawyer? Villani & DeLuca lawyers will advise you on what they think your best strategy is in court. Call (732) 709-7757 today for a free discussion. Heroin possession lawyers in Highlands , New Jersey are here to assist.