Mercer County NJ Drug Distribution Lawyer
New Jersey as a whole, let alone Mercer County has taken an extreme proactive approach towards the “War on Drugs” that the State has been facing. At the forefront of the approach is to stop would be drug dealers. Special tasks forces have been created in an effort to take down all individuals that are alleged to have been selling drugs in towns throughout Mercer County. The penalties for distributing drugs will depend on a few factors, including the type of drug in question, the quantity of the drug in question and location of the arrest (ie park or school zone). As you will see below, the potential penalties that one faces for distributing drugs in New Jersey can range anywhere from probation all the way up to life in prison.
Charged with the Distribution of Heroin, Cocaine, LSD, Crystal Meth, MDMA or Prescription Drugs in Mercer County, New Jersey
If you have been arrested and charged with distributing heroin, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, distributing marijuana, being the leader of a drug trafficking network or operating a drug manufacturing facility in Mercer County you may be held in jail without bail pending trial. The bail reforms which kicked in January 1, 2017, allow for prosecutors under certain scenarios, to seek to have a Defendant held without bail pending trial. Distributing drugs is a very serious charge in New Jersey and one that should not be taken lightly. Mr. Oliver, one of the founding partners at the Keith Oliver Criminal Law has represented clients charged with a wide variety of drug distribution offenses over the years. He has handled cases ranging from possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute in the fourth degree to being the leader of a drug trafficking network in the first degree. If you would like to come into our office to have a face to face consultation with one of our Mercer County drug distribution defense attorneys, then please contact us directly at (609) 789-0779. We are available around the clock to help assist in anyway possible.
How Serious Are Drug Distribution Offenses in Nj
All drug distribution cases are classified as an indictable offenses, which is New Jersey’s version of a felony. That is regardless of the type or the quantity of CDS in question. That also means that all drug distribution or possession with the intent to distribute charges must be sent from the local municipal court to the Mercer County Superior Court for disposition. For example, if an individual is arrested following a routine traffic stop in West Windsor and charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, their charges must be transferred from the West Windsor Municipal Court to the Mercer County Superior Court, which is located at 400 South Warren Street in Trenton. That also means that the charges will be prosecuted by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s office as opposed to the local West Windsor municipal prosecutor. With that being said, although rare, it is possible to have certain possession of CDS with the intent to distribute charges downgraded to a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor) and transferred back to the local municipal court. For more information on the downgrades, please contact our office at 609-789-0779 and speak to one of our Mercer County drug distribution defense lawyers.
Defending Drug Distribution Cases in New Jersey
Whether a Defendant has been charged with possessing a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, distributing a controlled dangerous substance or operating a drug manufacturing facility the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Almost all drug distribution charges revolve around some form of a search and/or seizure. This is where an experienced Mercer County drug distribution defense attorney can make a difference. They can challenge the underlying search, seizure and/or warrant. If successful, the charges may ultimately be dismissed. Attacking these issues correctly requires the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you would like to have a free consultation with Mr. Oliver or one of the other members of the firm, then please contact us directly at (609)789-0779. Now here is a list of some of the most common drug distribution charges that we routinely represent clients on.
All Drug Distribution, Possession with Intent to Distribute and Manufacturing CDS Charges will be Classified as Felony Offense in NJ
First Degree Drug Distribution Penalties:
- 10 to 20 Years in a New Jersey State Prison;
- Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network – Life Sentence
- $200,000 Fine;
- Felony Criminal Record;
- Driver’s License Suspension.
Second Degree Drug Distribution Penalties:
- 5 to 10 Years in a New Jersey State Prison;
- $150,000 Fine;
- Felony Criminal Record;
- Driver’s License Suspension.
Third Degree Drug Distribution Penalties:
- 3 to 5 Years in a New Jersey State Prison;
- $35,000 Fine;
- Felony Criminal Record;
- Driver’s License Suspension.
Fourth Degree Drug Distribution Penalties:
- 18 Months in a New Jersey State Prison;
- $15,000 Fine;
- Felony Criminal Record;
- Driver’s License Suspension.
Can I Get Pretrial Intervention for a CDS Distribution Case in NJ
New Jersey has a couple of diversionary programs which may be available for certain Defendants charged with distributing drugs. The two main programs are the Pretrial Intervention Program and Drug Court. Both programs have the ability to keep a Defendant out of jail. In addition, the Pretrial Intervention Program provides the Defendant the ability to remain without a conviction too if they can successfully complete the program. For more information on these programs please contact our office at (609)789-0779.
Can the Police Seize my Car for False Distributing Drugs Charges?
Yes. If the police believe that an item is either the derivative of the drug sales or is used in the commission of the drug sales than they have the authority to seize the items in question. Some of the more frequently seized items we see when it comes to drug distribution offenses in Mercer County includes: motor vehicles, boats, cash, bank accounts, cellphones, jewelry and houses. In order to lawfully retain any items that have been seized the prosecution must file for and be successful at forfeiture motion. The Defendant would have the ability to contest the forfeiture. Forfeiture hearings will be heard in the Civil Division and will be in addition to the criminal charges. To speak to one of our attorneys to about your forfeiture motion please contact our office.
Speak to a Lawrenceville NJ Drug Distribution Defense Lawyer Today – 609-789-0779
At Keith Oliver Criminal Law, our attorneys represent clients charged with distributing drugs in Mercer County in towns like Lawrence, Hamilton, Ewing, Robbinsville, West Windsor, Princeton, Hopewell, East Windsor and Trenton. If your or a loved one has been charged with possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, distributing cocaine or manufacturing marijuana in Mercer County and would like a free initial consultation then please contact our office at (609) 789-0779. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to help assist in any way possible. We fully understand that being charged with a criminal offense, let alone a drug distribution charge can be extremely stressful, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.