Monmouth County Drug Charges

In recognition of the societal harm caused by drug abuse and addiction, New Jersey takes drug-related offenses very seriously. As such, those facing these criminal charges regularly face onerous punishments that can include lengthy terms of incarceration, costly fines, and periods of intense probationary scrutiny.

Because formal penalties are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the detrimental impact of these offenses, if you are facing these charges, you should find an accomplished drug lawyer willing to fight aggressively against all Monmouth County drug charges.

Several of the most commonly prosecuted offenses involving a controlled dangerous substance are outlined in Title 2C of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. These include:

• Unlawful possession of enumerated substances, as provided by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)1
• Manufacturing, distribution, or dispensing, as discussed in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5
• Possession with the intent to distribute
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, as outlined by N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2

The specific type of substance involved is also relevant to any criminal charge. The legislature classifies drugs by their known potential for addiction or abuse and whether they have widely accepted medical purposes.

Substances are categorized by schedules from I through V, with the former including drugs with high abuse potential and no medical use and the latter including those with comparatively low risk of abuse and an accepted medical use.

In addition to the specific conduct at issue and the type of drug involved, any Monmouth County drug charges may also depend on the actual amount of the substance in question. Possession of small quantities of marijuana, for instance, will be treated far less seriously than possession with intent to sell a large amount of heroin.

Because drug cases are extremely fact-intensive, it is crucial to have the help of an experienced drug attorney who can carefully evaluate evidence and marshal effective counterattacks.

Given the potentially lengthy prison terms, crippling fines, community service requirements and other formal punishments that can come with drug charges, the need for an aggressive defense strategy is obvious. However, it is also important to fight hard to prevent the sort of additional ramifications that may only begin to reveal themselves after a sentence has been served.

Once a criminal record involving drug offenses is established, it can prove difficult to secure well-paying, stable employment. Professional licenses may be permanently revoked and passing a background check for something as simple as volunteering as a youth baseball coach may be almost impossible. Immigration status, college admissions chances, and general social standing may be irreparably damaged due to Monmouth County drug charges.

Though the situation may initially seem hopeless to someone charged with a serious drug offense, there are many potential defenses a skilled defense lawyer can explore. For example, the exclusion of evidence garnered through potentially unconstitutional searches often may prove crucial in achieving a positive outcome for defendants. However, the sooner someone facing charges consults an attorney, the better the chances of exploiting weaknesses in the state's case may be.

Drug offenses are capable of creating long-lasting consequences that can permanently change your life. If you are facing Monmouth County drug charges and wish to fight hard for your future, now is the time to seek the insights of an assertive defense lawyer. Call to set up a free consultation.