Due to more heroin being brought into New Jersey, the state is reallocating its attention in an attempt to diminish the supply. With law enforcement’s eyes on heroin, more drug users and providers are facing imprisonment.
With substantial volumes of heroin entering the NJ supply, heroin has become inexpensive and more hazardous. Heroin in New Jersey ends up being a higher grade than normal heroin supplies across the US. Due to the abundance and purity of the drug, many young people are forming addictions to heroin in NJ.
As the state and local governments concentrate ever more on the escalating heroin trafficking and drug ring crisis, the amount of heroin-related arrests and drug raids dramatically rise. Despite this growing predicament, an arrest doesn’t need to be a conviction. People accused of possession and distribution must be protected under the law with the support of heroin lawyers serving places like Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Charged for a heroin drug possession crime in Lakehurst, New Jersey? Get a hold of Villani & DeLuca today to understand how to best defend yourself.
Heroin possession is a third degree felony in New Jersey and comes with a five-year prison term and a substantial fine of up to $35,000.
The usage of heroin has grown quickly in New Jersey within just a few years. 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. Your NJ drug defense attorney should have past experience dealing with heroin charges.
The drug defense lawyers at Villani & DeLuca have a strong background in fighting heroin charges. An attorney like Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. can use his successful track record of defending individuals arrested for drug crimes like heroin distribution to craft the best defense possible.
You should take every opportunity to protect yourself from a heroin arrest. A guilty plea for heroin possession or distribution can also inhibit your business prospects in the future. Your life as you know it can be much brighter if you can avoid a conviction.
Your verdict has a lot to do with the events of your arrest. The total number of ounces of heroin in your possession during your arrest will help determine if you should be charged with possession or distribution. Things like school zones also play a major role.
If you have been picked up for possession of heroin, you don’t necessarily need to face jail time. Your criminal defense attorney can push for conditional discharge or a Pretrial Intervention (PTI), if it is your first offense. A drug defense attorney may also be able to fight charges based on an abuse of your rights.
Even a relatively small amount of heroin can justify the intent to distribute. If you are convicted of possession with the intent to sell, you can face 5 years imprisonment with a max fine of $75,000 and a withdrawn driver’s license.
Possession is not typically as serious as distribution. Just 0.5 ounces of heroin can lead to a charge for the intent to sell. Intent and actual distribution are treated as the same crime according to NJ state law. Possession with the intent to sell 0.5 ounces of heroin or less is a 3rd degree crime, resulting in up to five years imprisonment 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. If found guilty, you will be sentenced to 10-20 years and be forced to pay a fine that can be as much as $500,000.
School-zone drug arrests can lead to penalties that are stricter than under normal circumstances. Although you may not believe that you are in a school zone at the time of an arrest, the legal boundaries of a school zone does not just include buildings. If you are caught distributing heroin within 1,000 feet of a school bus, for example, the school zone laws of NJ will be in effect.
Heroin charges can be mitigated given the right defense. Protect your life with a well-thought out defense plan. The appropriate defense strategy can get a favorable decision.
Was the search and seizure of the heroin and other drug paraphernalia according to the letter of the law? If not, you may have mitigating circumstances. Your heroin attorney will be able to the details of your individual arrest.
Conditional discharge is a beneficial solution for many first-time offenders of heroin possession. You will be put on probation and your criminal record will remain unchanged.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) is another important program that can be an option for heroin addicts. PTI is a rehabilitation service that can be sentenced rather than serving jail time. The PTI program can be very helpful if you are struggling with addiction.
Are you seeking a lawyer? Villani & DeLuca lawyers will advise you on what they think the best course of action is. Call (732) 965-3350 today for a free appointment. New Jersey criminal lawyers serving Lakehurst, New Jersey are here to help.
