Heroin has become extremely common in New Jersey, and because of the large quantity of the drug, New Jersey has introduced tougher repercussions in order to control it. Heroin possession and distribution are both severe offenses with major punishments.
Heroin is pervasive and not limited to one demographic or vicinity. Located at a hub of the heroin import industry, New Jersey is innundated with some of the purest and most affordable heroin in the United States, which tremendously contributes to the pervasive usage throughout the state.
A heroin possession or distribution arrest is a serious matter that and necessitates a carefully constructed legal game plan. Your rights cannot be infringed upon, regardless of whether you have been picked up for alleged heroin distribution or possession.
If you or a family member has been arrested for heroin possession or distribution in Lacey, New Jersey, call the law firm of Villani & DeLuca for qualified drug lawyers to assist you through the arraignment process and to protect your rights.
Defined as a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance according to NJ law, possession of heroin is legally a 3rd degree criminal offense. A heroin possession conviction can result in a five year prison sentence and a fine of up to $35,000.
NJ has seen heroin usage swell very quickly. A report 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. If you are battling heroin addiction and have been charged with possession of heroin, you need an adept NJ drug defense attorney, proficient in handling heroin charges.
The drug defense attorneys at Villani & DeLuca have years of experience battling heroin charges. Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. is a qualified heroin defense attorney who regularly protects clients from criminal allegations, including possession and intent to distribute heroin. Mr. Villani can draw from his previous history prosecuting criminal drug charges in the New Jersey court system to establish the strongest defense possible for you.
Heroin convictions carry intense repercussions, both legally and in terms of current and future employment opportunities. The consequences for being found guilty can be as steep as 20 years in prison for a multiple offender of heroin-related crimes.
Your verdict has a lot to do with the events of your arrest. The quantity of heroin on your person at the time of an arrest will factor into whether you should be charged with possession or distribution. Factors like school zones also strongly factor into the severity of your charges.
A prison sentence is not guaranteed. Your drug attorney can argue for conditional discharge or a Pretrial Intervention (PTI), if it is your first offense. A drug lawyer may also be able to fight charges based on a violation of your rights.
It’s important to note that possession of any amount of heroin – even less than a half ounce – that is determined to constitute the intent to distribute, has much more punitive penalties. Heroin possession with the intent to distribute can result in 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $75,000, with a loss of driver’s license for a period of six months to one year, if convicted.
Heroin distribution is no different than intent to distribute in the eyes of NJ drug laws. Third degree heroin distribution involves less than 0.5 ounces of heroin, while weights of more than 5 ounces count as a crime in the first degree. A jail term of between 10 and 20 years and a half million dollar fine may be the consequence of a first degree heroin conviction.
The consequences of a heroin arrest in a school zone are much more severe. Whether you are aware of it or not, the definition of a school zone does not just include buildings. If you are caught distributing heroin within 1,000 feet of a school bus, for instance, the school zone laws of NJ will be in effect.
Heroin charges can be mitigated given the right defense. Return to your life with help from a heroin defense attorney dedicated to getting you the best results possible. The ideal defense strategy can furnish you with the best case scenario.
If an unlawful search and seizure of your property happened prior to an arrest, you may have grounds to have charges weakened. Ask your heroin defense attorney if you have special circumstances based on your arrest.
An additional means to avoiding a trial may be to pursue a conditional discharge, depending on whether this is your first heroin arrest. Under conditional discharge, you are placed on probation and can avoid a drug conviction on your permanent record.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI). This program is designed for rehabilitation rather than incarceration and allows defendants to undergo drug treatment therapy as a way to prevent further drug-related crimes and arrests in New Jersey.
Are you looking for an attorney? Contact Villani & DeLuca right away to learn about how to fight your heroin charges in New Jersey. Contact Villani & DeLuca by calling (732) 965-3350. NJ heroin defense lawyers serving Lacey, New Jersey are here to help.
