Monmouth County NJ Crystal Meth Lawyers
If you have been charged with possessing or distributing crystal meth in Monmouth County it is important that you speak to a criminal defense lawyer about your options. Regardless if you have been charged with possessing or distributing or possessing with intent to distribute crystal meth, you will be facing a felony offense in New Jersey. The degree of the offense will dictate the potential jail exposure that an individual faces. With that being said, it can range anywhere from three to twenty years in a State Prison. Crystal meth, which is also known as methamphetamines, has been popping up more and more in towns throughout Monmouth County. Law enforcement throughout Monmouth County has been cracking down on not only drug dealers but drug users as well. It has become well known by now that New Jersey as a whole, has a serious drug problem and is not just with opiates.
If you have been charged with the possession of methamphetamine’s, the possession of cocaine, the possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, the distribution of marijuana, the possession of Molly or the distribution of crystal meth in Monmouth County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. The attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law represent individuals charged with various drug offenses in courts throughout Monmouth County. Those courts include the Monmouth County Superior Court, the Holmdel Municipal Court, the Middletown Municipal Court, the Wall Municipal Court, the Asbury Park Municipal Court, the Freehold Municipal Court, the Long Branch Municipal Court and the Tinton Falls Municipal Court. Like all other drug cases, these cases are very fact the specific. If you would like to come into our Middletown office and speak one-on-one with one of our attorneys about your options then please contact us at (732)858-6959. Here is some more information on the possession of crystal meth and the distribution of crystal meth, including what the potential penalties are.
Charged with Possession of Crystal Meth in NJ?
Methamphetamine’s have been categorized in New Jersey as a schedule III narcotic. So they will be governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a in the New Jersey criminal code. Anybody caught possessing less than a half-ounce of methamphetamine’s will be charged with a third degree felony. Less than a half-ounce really means less than a half-ounce, trace amounts will still be considered a third degree felony. In fact, the possession of marijuana under 50 grams is the only drug specific offense in New Jersey that is not a felony offense. With that being said, anybody caught possessing more than a couple grams will most likely be charged with the possession with the intent to distribute as opposed to possession.
Will I go to Jail if I am Caught Possessing Crystal Meth in NJ?
Anyone arrested and convicted of possessing crystal meth in New Jersey will be facing it third degree felony offense. A third degree felony offense in New Jersey is punishable by anywhere from three to five years in a State Prison, a fine up to $35,000, a felony drug criminal record, probation, community service, court-ordered drug rehabilitation program and up to a six-month loss of license. Since it is a third degree felony offense, anyone convicted of this offense, who has no prior criminal history, will obtain the presumption of non-imprisonment. It is important to note that that presumption can be overcome and it does not include county jail sentences. In addition, New Jersey has created several diversionary programs that a Defendant charged with this type of offense may be eligible for. Those programs include the Pretrial Intervention Program, the Conditional Discharge Program and Drug Court. Each one of these programs operates a little differently but the Pretrial Intervention Program and the Conditional Discharge Program could not only keep a Defendant out of jail but potentially without a criminal record as well. For more information on these programs, please contact our office at (732)858-6959. Now here is some more information on distributing crystal meth.
Charged with Distributing Crystal Meth in NJ?
Since crystal meth has been categorized as a schedule III narcotic, the quantity of the drug seized will dictate the degree that the Defendant is charged with. New Jersey treats the following charges the same for sentencing purposes: possessing CDS with intent to distribute, distributing CDS and manufacturing CDS. Here is a chart that will not only breakdown the different degrees but the potential exposure for each degree as well.
First Degree Felony Crystal Meth Charges in Freehold:
- The quantity seized must be greater than 5 oz.
- Anyone convicted of this offense will be facing anywhere from 10 to 20 years in a State prison, a fine up to $200,000, a felony drug criminal record, community service and a 6-month loss of license.
Second Degree Felony Crystal Meth Charges in Keyport:
- The quantity seized must be greater than 1/2 oz. but less than 5 oz.
- A Defendant facing a second degree felony will be facing 5 to 10 years in a State prison, a fine up to $150,000, a felony drug criminal record, community service and a 6-month loss of license.
Third Degree Felony Crystal Meth Charges in Union Beach:
- The quantity seized must be less than 1/2 oz.
- A Defendant will be facing 3 to 5 years in a State prison, a fine up to $35,000, a felony drug criminal record, community service and a 6-month loss of license.
Methamphetamine Lawyers in Asbury Park NJ
Our attorneys have represented individuals charged with possession of marijuana, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of ecstasy and possession of Molly with intent to distribute in courts throughout New Jersey. If you would like to come into our office and have a face-to-face consultation with one of our Monmouth County criminal defense attorneys then please contact us at (732)858-6959. we are well aware that no two clients are the same and that no two cases are. We can craft a defense that will cover your specific needs. Our offices covers all of Monmouth County including the following towns, Keyport, Keansburg, Union Beach, Asbury Park, Freehold, Belmar, Atlantic Highlands, Howell and Tinton Falls.