With all the publicity concerning legalization of marijuana, it can be easy for people to forget that possession of this drug is illegal in New Jersey. Reality is that it is not only unlawful to possess marijuana under N.J.S. 2C:35-10 but extremely costly if you are caught with any quantity and the situation only gets worse if the charge involves selling or distributing marijuana. You will have a criminal record, can be put in jail and/or on probation, and will forfeit your drivers license for six (6) months to twenty-four (24) months. At the Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliver, our marijuana possession defense attorneys know the ins and outs of successfully defending these charges whether they are pending at the Superior Court or in a municipal court. We even have significant experience handling synthetic cannabinoid charges. Our team, which includes at least four (4) former prosecutors, including in Essex County, has the energy and skill you need to effectively defend your marijuana possession case. If you have been charged with distributing marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of Oxycontin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute or possession of Molly, we can help. Call us any time around the clock at 973-710-1520 for a free consultation.
Fourth Degree Possession of Marijuana Attorneys in Newark NJ
In accordance with N.J.S. 2C:35-10, it is a fourth degree crime to possess more than 50 grams of marijuana. Since this is a felony offense, the court that has jurisdiction to decide this grade of possession of marijuana charge is the Essex County Superior Court in Newark. The penalties that may be imposed upon conviction for this fourth degree crime have the potential to significantly impact your life. You may be sent to state prison for a term of up to eighteen (18) months and be subjected to a fine as high as $25,000. Our attorneys can often avoid a conviction to possession of marijuana in the fourth degree through a remand, downgrade, dismissal or through Pretrial Intervention.
Possession of Less Than 50 Grams of Marijuana Attorney in Bloomfield NJ
It is a disorderly persons offense to possess less than 50 grams of marijuana. This variety of marijuana possession case is heard in municipal court and, while it involves a misdemeanor offense, a conviction results in a criminal record that employers and other third parties will have access to in the future. The penalties include a county jail sentence that can reach six (6) months and a maximum fine of $1,000. A lawyer at our firm is ready to fight your charge and, if a dismissal/downgrade is not attainable, will make sure you avoid a record by being admitted into the Conditional Discharge program.
Drivers License Suspension If Convicted Of Marijuana Possession. Irrespective of whether you are facing a fourth degree or disorderly persons offense for possession of marijuana, a conviction will trigger a mandatory drivers license suspension. The suspension period can range from six (6) months to twenty-four (24) months. While the suspension is supposed to be mandatory, our marijuana attorneys historically have been able to avoid this consequence in an extremely high percentage of cases.
Possessing Marijuana In A School Zone. N.J.S. 2C:35-10 enhances the penalties for fourth degree marijuana possession and a disorderly persons offense of marijuana possession if the offense occurs in a “school zone”. School zone is defined as any area within 1,000 feet of property owned or leased by a school and utilized for school purposes. When this enhancement applies, and individual is required to perform at least one-hundred (100) hours of community service above and beyond the marijuana penalties previously set forth in this article. Our drug possession defense lawyers know how to avoid school zone treatment, as well as avoid other significant penalties for marijuana possession.
Marijuana Possession Lawyers in Montclair NJ
If you were arrested and/or charged with possession of marijuana in Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Newark, Belleville, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, Verona or West Orange, the Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliver located at One Gateway Center, Suite 2600, Newark NJ 07102, is ready to immediately assist you at 973-710-1520. Our office has eight criminal defense attorneys on staff, making our office one of the largest criminal defense firms in the State, let alone Essex County. Our team of marijuana possession lawyers have extensive experience representing clients charge with possession of marijuana in Essex County NJ.