Heroin Offense Lawyers in Holmdel, New Jersey Will Fight For You
There is a heroin epidemic in New Jersey. The upsurge of heroin distribution has led to increasingly stronger heroin laws in the state.
Heroin's proliferation in New Jersey makes it less expensive for users to purchase, in comparison with the rest of the country. Heroin in New Jersey ends up being purer than normal heroin supplies found elsewhere. Because of the large quantity and strength of the heroin, many teenagers are forming addictions to heroin in NJ.
Being charged with heroin possession or distribution is a serious matter that and requires a carefully constructed legal strategy. Your rights are protected, despite the fact that you have been arrested for drug charges.
Talk to Villani & DeLuca drug defense attorneys to get legal guidance if you are arrested in Holmdel, NJ for heroin possession or heroin distribution.
Heroin Charges Under New Jersey Law (N.J.S.A 2C:35-10)
Heroin possession is a 3rd degree felony in New Jersey and may result in a five-year jail term and a substantial fine of up to $35,000.
Heroin usage has risen extremely fast in New Jersey within a very short period of time. A study from the Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use by New Jersey Youths and Young Adults called heroin “the number one health care crisis” in the state. Your NJ drug defense attorney should have experience dealing with heroin charges.
NJ Drug Possession Lawyers with Extensive Experience
The drug attorneys at Villani & DeLuca have extensive experience fighting heroin offenses. Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. is a qualified heroin defense attorney who regularly defends clients against criminal allegations, including possession and intent to distribute heroin. Mr. Villani can draw from his prior history prosecuting criminal drug charges in the New Jersey court system to build the tightest defense possible for you.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
You cannot risk facing heroin charges and the penalties associated with a conviction without a strong drug attorney on your side. Heroin charges on your criminal record can also constrain your employment opportunities in the long term. The rest of your life can be much more rewarding if you can avoid a conviction.
Your charges and potential penalties have a lot to do with the variables of your arrest. Whether you are charged with possession or distribution is in part based on the amount of heroin on or around you when you are caught. Things like school zones also play a major role.
Simple Heroin Possession in New Jersey
A prison sentence is not an inevitability. A first offense may result in a Pretrial Intervention (PTI) if your counsel thinks you qualify. There are other defensible charges as well, including possibly unlawful search and seizure, which a skillful drug lawyer will assess.
If you have been arrested for the intent to distribute, your sentence will be more serious than possession charges. Heroin possession with the intent to distribute can lead to 5 years in jail and a fine of up to $75,000, with a loss of driver's license for 6-12 months, if convicted.
Heroin Distribution and Intent to Distribute Laws in New Jersey
Possession is not typically treated as harshly as distribution. If you are in possession of 0.5 or more ounces of heroin when arrested, law enforcement may charge you with intent to distribute. Intent and actual distribution are legally identical according to NJ state law. You could get up to a five-year sentence and face a $75,000 fine for the intent to sell just a half ounce of heroin. If you are convicted of attempting to sell more than 5 ounces of heroin, you will be faced with a first degree crime. There is a fixed prison term of 10 to 20 years, and a fine of up to $500,000 upon conviction.
Heroin Distribution and Possession in or Near a School Zone
School zones will make fines and other consequences of a drug conviction more severe than otherwise. If you are caught in possession of heroin in a designated school zone, there is a mandatory prison sentence with fines of up to $150,000 if convicted. Choosing a skilled heroin attorney is essential for heroin arrests within school zones.
Safeguard Your Future from a Heroin Arrest
Despite being arraigned with drug crimes in New Jersey, you have many options available to pursue with an experienced NJ drug crimes law firm. With a strong defense, your drug attorney can help your case.
Was the search and seizure of the drugs and paraphernalia according to the letter of the law? If not, you may have mitigating circumstances. The heroin defense attorney you hire will point out any unlawful procedures that led to your arrest.
Conditional discharge is a possible solution for many first-time offenders of heroin possession. Discharge will permit probation instead, and your record will not be touched.
If you haven't been arrested before, prison time is unlikely if your lawyer and the prosecution agree to a Pretrial Intervention (PTI). This program is designed for rehabilitation rather than imprisonment and enables defendants to undergo drug treatment therapy as a way to prevent further drug-related crimes and arrests in NJ.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Defense Lawyers are Ready For Your Call
If you have been charged with heroin infractions, selling or possession with intent to distribute, contact Villani & DeLuca today for legal advice and to set up a no cost consultation. We will speak to you any time of day and any day of the year. Start organizing your defense in Holmdel with a phone call to (732) 709-7757.