New Jersey Cocaine Charges Attorney
Cocaine Drug Crime Lawyers in Hamilton Defend the Rights and Future of Clients Facing Drug Charges in Mercer County, Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and Throughout NJ
Have you been charged with cocaine possession or distribution? In New Jersey, possessing even the smallest amount of cocaine constitutes a felony offense that carries significant penalties, including prison time and potentially tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Experienced legal representation can help you pursue a resolution of your charges that enables you to get back to your life as soon as possible. Turn to a New Jersey cocaine charges attorney from The Scardella Law Firm LLC for help. Our firm makes building the most vigorous possible defense our primary goal in your case. Our legal team has experience on both the prosecution and defense sides of criminal cases, giving us unique insights that enable us to craft strategic solutions for our clients.
Cocaine possession is one of the most serious drug crimes, with severe punishments for a conviction. Get the legal help you need to defend yourself and pursue a favorable outcome to your charges. Contact The Scardella Law Firm LLC for a free initial consultation to learn more about your legal options from our experienced cocaine drug crime lawyers in Hamilton, NJ.
Cocaine Possession Crimes in New Jersey
New Jersey’s drug possession law makes it illegal to possess cocaine or any of its analog substances. In addition, the law requires anyone who knowingly comes into possession of cocaine to deliver it to a law enforcement officer immediately.
New Jersey also outlaws the manufacture or distribution of cocaine or the possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Unlawful possession may include actual or constructive possession. Prosecutors may charge someone with possession with intent to distribute rather than simple possession based on the amount of cocaine involved, how the cocaine was packaged, or other factors such as the presence of packaging materials and equipment.
Penalties for a Cocaine Drug Crime Conviction
The penalties for a conviction for cocaine possession will usually depend on whether a defendant is charged with simple possession or possession with intent to distribute and the quantity of cocaine found in the defendant’s possession. Penalties for simple possession include up to five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $35,000. Penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or possession with intent to distribute include:
- Less than one-half ounce: Up to five years in prison and a possible fine of up to $75,000
- One-half ounce to five ounces: Up to 10 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $150,000
- More than five ounces: 10 to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $500,000
In addition, manufacturing/distributing cocaine or possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on school property or a school bus or within 1,000 feet of school property or a school bus may face mandatory periods of parole ineligibility of one-third to one-half of the imposed prison term.
How Will a New Jersey Cocaine Charges Attorney Help You Protect Your Reputation and Freedom?
Criminal charges of cocaine possession or distribution can significantly threaten your freedom and future. Prosecutors treat cocaine crimes seriously and seek substantial punishment for convictions. The cocaine drug crime lawyers in Hamilton, NJ, of The Scardella Law Firm LLC can help level the playing field and stand up for your rights and interests. When you choose our firm for help after an arrest on cocaine charges, you can expect our legal team to pursue a favorable resolution for you by:
- Thoroughly investigating your case to recover all available evidence, including favorable evidence not found by law enforcement or prosecutors
- Reviewing the fact and circumstances leading up to your arrest to identify possible defense strategies to fight your charges, such as challenging the validity of your arrest, search warrants, or warrantless searches
- Explaining your charges to you and preparing you for potential outcomes in your case so you have the information you need to make the best decisions for your interests
- Moving to exclude the state’s evidence on the grounds of irrelevancy, unreliability, or inadmissibility and moving to reduce or dismiss your charges where warranted
- Pursuing resolution of your case as appropriate, such as applying for admission to recovery courts if you are eligible
- Going to trial if you choose to fight your charges and advocating in your defense to pursue an acquittal
Contact Us for a Free Consultation to Speak with Our Cocaine Drug Crime Lawyers in Hamilton, NJ, About Your Case
After you’ve been arrested and charged with a cocaine drug crime in New Jersey, you need seasoned legal advocates who will fight to protect your rights, reputation, and freedom. Contact The Scardella Law Firm LLC today for a free, confidential case review to learn more about how our firm can help you face and resolve serious cocaine possession charges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cocaine Charges in New Jersey
Other circumstances surrounding your arrest can result in additional criminal charges or harsher sentencing in the event of a conviction. These circumstances may include possessing a weapon in addition to possessing cocaine or possessing cocaine in or near school property or in a public building, public park, or housing project. The grading of a cocaine possession offense will also depend on the quantity of drugs found in the suspect’s possession.
Constructive possession is a legal concept that deems a person as possessing drugs even though the person doesn’t have physical control over the drugs or have the drugs on their person. A court or jury may find a person in constructive possession of cocaine when the evidence proves that the person had the means and intent to exercise control over the cocaine. Examples of circumstances that may lead to a finding of constructive possession include drugs in your bedroom (even if you were not home at the time), in a storage container that only you had access to, or in the trunk of a vehicle you were driving. A person can have constructive possession of drugs even if the drugs belong to someone else.
