Heroin usage and related charges, like heroin possession and distribution, are currently a major issue in New Jersey. As heroin fatalities and overdoses increase, NJ law enforcement is cracking down on heroin violations, carrying out some of the strictest penalties in the country.
Heroin’s prevalence in New Jersey makes it far more affordable for users to purchase, compared to other states. Heroin in New Jersey even tends to be a higher grade than typical heroin supplies across the US. Due to the large quantity and strength of the drug, many adolescents are becoming addicted to heroin in NJ.
As the state and municipal governments focus increasingly on the growing heroin trafficking and drug ring situation, the number of heroin-related arrests and drug raids dramatically rise. However, just because someone is arrested for a crime it does not automatically mean it will result in a conviction. People accused of possession and distribution must be protected under the law with the support of heroin lawyers serving places like Jackson, New Jersey.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for heroin possession or distribution in Jackson, New Jersey, contact the law firm of Villani & DeLuca for experienced heroin lawyers to guide you through the legal process and to defend your rights.
Heroin possession is a 3rd degree felony in NJ and may result in a five-year jail term and a hefty fine of up to $35,000.
The usage of heroin has escalated rapidly in New Jersey within a very short period of time. 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 experience defending clients from heroin charges.
The drug defense lawyers at Villani & DeLuca have years of experience battling heroin offenses. An attorney like Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. can use previous experiences guarding people confronted with drug crimes like heroin distribution to tailor your defense.
Convictions for heroin come with major repercussions, both regarding jail time and potential fines and in terms of employment repercussions. The penalties for a conviction can be as much as decades in jail for a repeat offender of heroin crimes.
Your verdict is dependent on on the weight of heroin found on you, but additionally on other variables, such as proximity to a school zone or whether law enforcement determine that you are a dealer or distributor. Having a qualified criminal attorney on your side is a necessity to minimize your verdict and attain a lower charge from the prosecution.
Heroin possession is not an automatic jail term in New Jersey. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and conditional discharge are two options that may be available to someone who has been arrested for a first offense. Your heroin attorney can argue that the events leading up to your arrest were unlawful and against code.
The quantity of heroin found in your possession does not cause a charge to be upgraded to intent to distribute. The possible fines and jail terms are much greater if you have been charged with distribution (or the intent to distribute.
Selling heroin can carry harsher penalties than simple possession. Possession of more than .5 ounces of heroin may cause law enforcement to charge you with intent to distribute. Intention of selling is no different than being arrested for the act of selling heroin in regard to repercussions. You may be served with up to a five-year sentence and be served a $75,000 fine for the intent to distribute just a half ounce of heroin. If arrested for attempting to distribute more than five ounces of heroin, you will be faced with a first degree crime. There is a mandatory prison term of 10 to 20 years, and a fine of up to $500,000 upon conviction.
Potential sentences are increased substantially when the criminal offense occurs in or near a school zone, which includes school buses and extends to areas up to 1,000 feet from the building or vehicle. If you are caught in possession of heroin in a designated school zone, there is a set prison sentence with fines of up to $150,000 if convicted. Your attorney should have a background in drug crimes so that your heroin-related sentence is the best case scenario if sentenced.
Heroin charges are beatable. You can get your life back with a smart defense from a criminal defense lawyer committed to your case. Your charges could be dropped or reduced with an effective defense.
Probable cause is required to search your property, without which an officer is limited in what he may search. A drug defense attorney will provide direction based on your specific circumstances.
If you do not have any prior arrests, conditional discharge is often a smart option for you to pursue. Discharge will allow you to go on probation instead, and your record will not be touched.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI). PTI places heroin users in a rehabilitation center rather than prison.
Are you seeking an attorney? Villani & DeLuca lawyers will advise you on what they think your best strategy is in court. Contact Villani & DeLuca by calling (732) 965-3350. Our attorneys will ?aggressively defend? charges you are facing in Jackson, New Jersey today.
