Experienced Ocean Marijuana Possession Defense Attorneys
A marijuana charge in New Jersey can be a big problem if it is not handled properly. New Jersey has strict pot laws and penalties for possession and distribution. Even with the allowed use of medical marijuana (under very specific and controlled situations), New Jersey will go after people arrested for using, selling and growing pot. You need a marijuana defense attorney serving Ocean, New Jersey, if you have been taken in for marijuana possession, distribution or the intent to distribute.
Understand the Law, Evade Marijuana Allegations in New Jersey
Marijuana is called a Controlled Dangerous Substance in NJ. The weight of the weed discovered on you will dictate the consequences you can face. If you have less than 50 grams of marijuana at the time of arrest, you could be accused of a disorderly persons offense. But, possession of amounts of marijuana more than 50 grams is filed as a felony.
If you get arrested for owning marijuana (this can be fewer than 50 grams), charges will frequently extend beyond possession. The state will occasionally pursue charges for the intent to sell, which is treated the same as being arrested in the process of actually distributing pot. Distribution and the intent to distribute are punished by much harsher consequences than possession. You need to build a quality legal strategy with an experienced Ocean, New Jersey marijuana law firm to defend your case.
New Jersey Defense Lawyers With Experience Fighting Marijuana Charges
As a previous municipal prosecutor and public defender, Carmine Villani, Esq. has uncommon experience for a marijuana criminal defense lawyer. The law firm of Villani & DeLuca opened in 1996 to help people charged with crimes such as pot possession.
Marijuana Offenses
Your marijuana charges hinge on how much marijuana you were in possession of, where your arrest happened and what law enforcement believes you were trying to do with the illegal drugs in your possession.
Possession of Marijuana
Marijuana possession in NJ of less than 50 grams can carry jail terms of as many as six months and fines that may be as much as $1,000. However, the punishment can be as much as 18 months in prison with a maximum fine of $25,000, when the quantity of marijuana get beyond 50 grams.
Marijuana Distribution and Intent to Distribute
Penalties for distribution charges are usually more extensive than penalties for simple possession is in NJ. Distribution of only one ounce of weed or less will earn a prison time of up to 18 months and a fine that reaches $10,000 for a conviction. A ruling that leads to your conviction for distribution in the first degree, you might end up in prison for as long as twenty years with a maximum fine of $300,000.
School Zones and Public Parks
A protected zone is public property like town-operated buildings and vehicles and public parks. A punishment is heightened if the arrest took place in a protected zone in New Jersey. Hire a NJ criminal defense lawyer if you were arrested and charged with marijuana possession or distribution in a Ocean protected zone.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is permitted in New Jersey, but there are multiple conditions and protocols involved with the medical marijuana exemption. If you are permitted to use medical by another medicinal marijuana program, for example, which does not necessarily entitle you to medical marijuana use in NJ. The medical marijuana laws of NJ tend to be more tough than similar medical marijuana states throughout the country. Only serious illnesses can lead to medical marijuana exceptions.
Villani & DeLuca is Here for You All Day, Every Day for Legal Advice
Were you charged with possession of marijuana or intent to sell in Ocean, NJ? Villani & DeLuca can help. Contact our New Jersey marijuana criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation at (732) 709-7757.