New Jersey Heroin Possession Defense Lawyers Will Work to Clear Your Charges
Due to more and more heroin being brought into New Jersey, the government is reallocating its attention in an effort to restrict the supply. Heroin possession and distribution are both severe charges with serious punishments.
Heroin is easily accessible and not limited to one demographic or location. Situated within a hub of the heroin import industry, New Jersey is troubled with some of the purest and least expensive heroin in the nation, which significantly plays a role in the widespread usage throughout the state.
In order to avoid conviction, you must present a rock-solid case so you can fight heroin possession or distribution charges. Your rights cannot be infringed upon, regardless of whether you have been arrested for drug charges.
Were you taken to jail for heroin possession or distribution in Loch Arbour, NJ? Get representation from the heroin attorneys at Villani & DeLuca before time runs out.
Heroin Charges Under New Jersey Law (N.J.S.A 2C:35-10)
Being found guilty of heroin possession can lead to large fines and 5 years prison time.
New Jersey has seen heroin usage swell very quickly. Heroin is the “number one health care crisis” in New Jersey according to the Task Force on Heroin and Other Opiate Use by New Jersey Youths and Young Adults. Your NJ criminal defense attorney ought to have past experience dealing with heroin charges.
NJ Drug Possession Attorneys with Extensive Experience
Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. has been representing clients for drug possession and distribution crimes since Villani & DeLuca opened in 1996. Mr. Villani has worked as a criminal prosecutor, providing him with a perspective on fighting drug charges that not many drug defense attorneys can draw from.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
Your future may depend heavily on the end result of your arrest. Your criminal history can greatly affect your consequences, from a probationary period, with no impact on your criminal record, to a maximum of 20 years in jail, with fines reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The specifics of your charge can influence the end result of your court case. The total number of ounces of heroin on your person during your arrest will help determine if you should be charged with possession or distribution. Your case may be complicated if you were caught in possession of heroin in an official school zone.
Simple Heroin Possession in NJ
Heroin possession is not an automatic prison sentence in NJ. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and conditional discharge are a couple of options for first-time offenders. You may also contest your arrest based on whether the proper legal procedures were followed.
The quantity of heroin found in your possession does not cause an arrest to result in intent to distribute charges. If you are convicted of possession with the intent to sell, you can face five years in prison with a top fine of $75,000 and a revoked driver’s license.
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 result in a charge for the intent to sell. The intent to sell is legally identical to actually distributing in regard to penalties. Heroin possession with intent to distribute a half ounce of heroin or less is a third degree crime, requiring 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 drug crime in the first degree. There is a mandatory 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
An arrest for heroin possession in a school zone can lead to penalties that are stricter than under normal circumstances. A school zone does incorporates more than the immediate vicinity around school building. School zones extend 1,000 feet from the school building and official buses.
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 a smart defense from a criminal defense lawyer dedicated to getting you the best results possible. The ideal defense strategy can furnish you with the best case scenario.
Did the state follow police procedure when searching you? If not, you have the grounds for a potentially very strong case. The heroin defense attorney you hire will pinpoint any unlawful procedures that led to your arrest.
You might want to consider a conditional discharge defense if your lawyer thinks you qualify. Conditional discharge is a way of avoiding a criminal record under the condition that you will go on probation.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) is another important program that can be an option for heroin addicts. It is used to prevent recidivism instead of a prison term. The PTI program can be very beneficial if you are struggling with addiction.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Defense Attorneys are Available 24/7 in Loch Arbour
Speak with the lawyers at Villani & DeLuca in a free discussion in order to discuss your arrest. We will speak to you any time of day and any day of the year. Start preparing your defense in Loch Arbour with a phone call to (732) 965-3350.
