NJ Heroin Possession Defense Lawyers Will Fight For You
Heroin has become extremely popular in New Jersey, and because of the abundance of the drug, New Jersey has implemented stiffer legislation in order to regulate it. Heroin possession and distribution are both severe infractions with major punishments.
Heroin is omnipresent and not restricted to one particular group or location. Situated at a hub of the heroin import industry, New Jersey is afflicted with some of the most pure and most affordable heroin in the nation, which tremendously affects the widespread usage all over the state.
With the increase in heroin addiction, heroin-related convictions have also spiked. In spite of this growing situation, a charge doesn't need to be a guilty verdict. You have rights that must be guarded with the aid of a lawyer serving Keyport, NJ and the neighboring towns.
Talk to Villani & DeLuca criminal defense lawyers to get legal support if you are arrested in Keyport, NJ for heroin possession or heroin distribution.
Heroin Charges According to New Jersey Law (N.J.S.A 2C:35-10)
Deemed a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance according to NJ law, possession of heroin is officially a 3rd degree offense. A heroin possession conviction can mean a five year jail sentence and a fine of up to $35,000.
Are you battling heroin addiction in New Jersey? Heroin is ruining the lives of many teenagers and young adults in New Jersey every year. If you are a heroin addict and picked up for a drug crime, contact a NJ drug attorney for help.
NJ Drug Possession Lawyers with Extensive Experience
The heroin lawyers at Villani & DeLuca have extensive experience battling heroin charges. Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. is a practiced drug defense lawyer who routinely defends clients against criminal charges, including possession and intent to distribute heroin. Mr. Villani can utilize his previous history prosecuting criminal drug charges in the New Jersey municipal courts to shape the strongest case possible for you.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
Your prospects may depend heavily on the outcome of your court case. The penalties for a conviction can be as high as twenty years in jail for a multiple offender of heroin crimes.
The individual variables of your arrest can impact the end result of your court case. The quantity of heroin in your possession during your arrest will factor into whether you should be charged with possession or distribution. Your case may be complicated if you were found distributing heroin in a designated school zone.
Simple Heroin Possession in NJ
Time in jail is not guaranteed. Your drug lawyer can argue for conditional discharge or a Pretrial Intervention (PTI), for first-time offenders. There are other considerations that may cause your charges to be reduced or dropped, including arrests made through unlawful search and seizure, which an adept criminal defense attorney can help determine.
You do not need to be in possession of a very large amount of heroin for an arrest to result in intent to distribute charges. Your potential fines and prison sentences are much greater if you have been charged with distribution (or the intent to sell.
Heroin Distribution and Intent to Distribute Laws in New Jersey
Possession is not generally treated as harshly as distribution. Just a half ounce of heroin can lead to a charge for the intent to distribute. The intent to sell is legally identical to actually distributing in regard to penalties. Possession with the intent to sell a half ounce of heroin or less is a third degree crime, warranting up to five years incarceration with a maximum fine of $75,000. Possession ofquantities more than five ounces with intent to distribute, including any adulterants or dilutants, is a heroin charge in the 1st degree. There is a mandatory prison term of 10 to 20 years, and a fine of up to half a million dollars 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 arrested in a designated school zone, there is a mandatory jail 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 sentenced.
Don't Allow Heroin Charges to Devastate Your Life
Drug charges like heroin possession or distribution don't need to completely destroy your future. Protect your life with a good defense plan. The appropriate defense strategy can furnish you with the best case scenario.
If an illicit search and seizure of your house occurred before an arrest, you may have grounds to have charges dismissed. A criminal defense lawyer will counsel you based on your specific circumstances.
Conditional discharge is a beneficial solution for many first-time offenders of heroin possession. Discharge will allow you to go on probation instead, and your record will stay clean.
Pretrial Intervention is a hand up to many people struggling with addiction and can be an alternative to prison. PTI is a rehabilitation service that can be sentenced versus serving a prison term. This program is designed to help people living in NJ kick their drug habit and stay out of prison.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Defense Lawyers are Available 24/7 in Keyport
Need a lawyer? Contact Villani & DeLuca today to inquire about how to fight your heroin charges in New Jersey. Contact Villani & DeLuca by calling (732) 709-7757. New Jersey criminal lawyers serving Keyport, New Jersey are here to help.