Heroin Offense Lawyers in Stafford, NJ Will Work to Clear Your Charges
Heroin usage and related offenses, like heroin possession and distribution, are currently a huge concern in New Jersey. As heroin deaths and overdoses increase, NJ authorities are cracking down on heroin violations, carrying out some of the harshest penalties in the nation.
Heroin is omnipresent and not restricted to one demographic or vicinity. New Jersey's import/export infrastructure has made it one of the prime sites for importation of illicit drugs like heroin in the US.
With the increase in heroin addiction, heroin-related convictions have also increased. Regardless of this developing situation, a heroin arrest is still not a guilty verdict. Drug users and distributors must be protected under the law with the assistance of heroin lawyers serving places like Stafford, New Jersey.
If you or a relative is facing heroin possession or distribution in Stafford, New Jersey, get in touch with the law firm of Villani & DeLuca for skilled drug lawyers to assist you through the judicial process and to safeguard your rights.
Heroin Arrests According to New Jersey Law (N.J.S.A 2C:35-10)
Viewed as a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance according to NJ law, possession of heroin is considered to be a third degree criminal offense. If convicted of heroin possession, you may face up to 5 years in jail and a top fine of $35,000.
Have you become addicted to heroin in New Jersey? Heroin is ruining the well-being of many teenagers and young adults in New Jersey annually. If you are a heroin addict and have been arrested and charged with a drug crime, contact a NJ drug defense lawyer for help.
NJ Heroin Possession Attorneys with Extensive Experience
Partner Carmine Villani, Esq. has been defending clients for heroin possession and distribution crimes since Villani & DeLuca opened in 1996. Mr. Villani has served as a criminal prosecutor, which gives him a unique perspective on fighting drug charges that not many heroin defense lawyers possess.
Protect Yourself from These Serious Heroin Charges
Heroin convictions carry major penalties, both legally and in terms of future employability. The consequences for a conviction can be as significant as twenty years in prison for a multiple offender of heroin crimes.
The context of your charge can influence the end result of your trial. Your level of heroin charge is partially dependent upon the quantity of heroin in your possession at the time of the arrest. You may also have an issue if you were found distributing heroin in an official school zone.
Simple Heroin Possession in New Jersey
Even though you were brought up on charges for heroin possession or distribution does not mean that you will be required to go to jail. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) and conditional discharge are two options for first-time offenders. You may also fight the grounds of your arrest based on the actions of arresting police officers.
The quantity of heroin found in your possession does not cause an arrest to result in intent to distribute charges. If you are convicted of possession with the intent to sell, you can face five years in prison with a top fine of $75,000 and a withdrawn driver's license.
Heroin Distribution and Intent to Distribute Laws in New Jersey
Heroin distribution is treated the same as intent to distribute by the state of NJ. Third degree heroin distribution involves less than 0.5 ounces of heroin, while amounts more than 5 ounces be a crime in the first degree. If you are convicted of heroin distribution in the first degree, you may be sentenced to prison for10 to 20 years with a fine that reaches half a millions dollars.
Heroin Distribution and Possession in or Near a School Zone
The stakes of a drug arrest in a school zone are much more severe. Whether you are aware of it or not, the description of a school zone does not just include buildings. School zones extend 1,000 feet from the school building and official buses.
Safeguard Your Future from a Heroin Arrest
Numerous paths are accessible to you with the help of a lawyer who has defended charges similar to yours in the past. A practiced NJ heroin attorney may be able to have your case dismissed, have the charges significantly reduced or avoid impacting your criminal record.
Was the search and seizure of the heroin and other drug paraphernalia according to the letter of the law? If your rights were offended, you may have reasons for dismissal. Your criminal defense attorney will be able to advise you on the specifics of your case.
If you do not have any prior arrests, conditional discharge is often a smart option for you to pursue. You will be placed on probation and your criminal record will remain unchanged.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) is another important program that can be an option for heroin addicts. It is used to stave off repeat offenses instead of a jail term. This option is designed to help people living in New Jersey get off of drugs and stay out of prison.
Villani & DeLuca Heroin Defense Lawyers are Ready For Your Call
If you are being charged with heroin possession, distribution or possession with intent to sell, get in touch with Villani & DeLuca today for legal advice and to arrange a complimentary consultation. Our NJ Heroin defense lawyers are available 24/7. Call (732) 709-7757 now to begin your defense in Stafford.