Heroin Defense Attorneys in Berkeley, New Jersey Will Fight For You
Heroin has become more and more common in New Jersey, and because of the availability of the drug, New Jersey has introduced tougher laws in order to fight it. With law enforcement's eyes on heroin, more users and providers are ending up behind bars.
The present heroin problem in NJ is not limited to the urban areas, but has moved into suburban communities within the state. Situated at a hub of the heroin import industry, New Jersey is plagued with some of the most pure and most affordable heroin in the nation, which substantially supports the pervasive usage throughout the state.
As governments at all levels concentrate ever more on the growing heroin trafficking and drug ring crisis, the number of heroin-related arrests and sting operations dramatically rise. In spite of this growing situation, an arrest doesn't need to be a conviction. Everyone has rights that must be guarded with the assistance of an attorney serving Berkeley, New Jersey and the neighboring towns.
Were you picked up for heroin possession or distribution in Berkeley, NJ? Call Villani & DeLuca today to find out your legal options.
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 hefty fine of up to $35,000.
Are you grappling with heroin addiction in New Jersey? Heroin is ruining the well-being of many teenagers and young adults in New Jersey yearly. If you are a heroin addict and have been arrested and charged with a heroin-related crime, contact a NJ drug lawyer for help.
NJ Heroin Possession Attorneys 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 previously worked as a criminal prosecutor, providing him with a perspective on fighting drug charges that not many heroin defense attorneys can draw from.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
You cannot gamble with facing heroin charges and the resulting sentence without support from an experienced attorney. Your ability to find a job will also be greatly diminished if convicted for heroin possession. Your life as you know it can be much more rewarding if you can avoid a conviction.
The sentence you receive has a lot to do with the circumstances of your arrest. The severity of your heroin charge is in part dependent upon the quantity of heroin in your possession when you are caught. You may also have an issue if you were found distributing heroin in an official school zone.
Simple Heroin Possession in NJ
Just because you were arrested for heroin possession or distribution does not mean that you are doomed to imprisonment. First-time offenders may have options available to them such as Pretrial Intervention or conditional discharge. You may also fight the grounds of your arrest based on the actions of arresting police officers.
If you have been charged with the intent to sell, your charges will be more severe than simple possession. Selling heroin carries massive fines, lengthier prison sentences and a suspension of a driver's license.
Heroin Distribution and Intent to Distribute Laws in New Jersey
Possession is not generally 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. The intent to sell is legally identical to the act of selling heroin in regard to repercussions. Heroin possession with intent to distribute a half ounce of heroin or less is a third degree crime, resulting in up to five years imprisonment with a maximum fine of $75,000. If arrested for attempting to sell more than 5 ounces of heroin, you will be faced with a 1st degree crime. If convicted, you will be sentenced to 10-20 years and be expected to pay up to $500,000 in penalties.
Heroin Distribution and Possession in or Near a School Zone
Arrests in school zones are considered much more severe than they would be under normal circumstances. If you are arrested in a designated school zone, there is a fixed prison sentence with fines of up to $150,000 if convicted. Your attorney should be experienced in drug crimes so that your drug charges are kept to a minimum in the event of a conviction.
Protect Your Future from a Heroin Arrest
Irrespective of being arraigned with heroin-related charges in New Jersey, you have choices. Talk to a skilled heroin lawyer in NJ. A skillful NJ drug lawyer may be able to have your case dismissed, have the charges downgraded or avoid impacting your criminal record.
Without probable cause, a policeman is constricted in what he may search. A heroin defense lawyer will inform you based on what occurred prior to and during your arrest.
Conditional discharge is a good solution for many first-time offenders of heroin possession. Discharge will allow you to go on probation instead, and your record will not be touched.
Pretrial Intervention is a big help to many people struggling with addiction and can be an alternative to prison. It is used to prevent recidivism instead of a jail term. This program is designed to help people who are living in NJ get off of drugs and stay out of prison.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Possession Attorneys are Available 24/7 in Berkeley
Need a lawyer? Villani & DeLuca lawyers will advise you on what they think the best course of action is. Call (732) 709-7757 today for a free appointment. Our law firm will ?aggressively defend? charges you are facing in Berkeley, New Jersey today.