A thirty-five year old male from Trenton, New Jersey was arrested this week following what authorities are calling a two month long investigation. According to the reports, during the investigation to became apparent to the Defendant was distributing cocaine out of a residence on Liberty Street. Based on their investigation search warrants for the home and the Defendant’s vehicle were obtained. Also, an arrest warrant for the Defendant was obtained. That indicates, that regardless of what was found during the execution of the search warrants, the Defendant was going to be arrested. The search of the Defendant’s vehicle revealed a secret compartment where in which 200 grams of powder cocaine and 10 grams of crack cocaine were discovered. Also located inside the vehicle was approximately $3,500 and a H&K handgun, which has been reported out of Washington D.C.. The search warrant conducted on the residence on Liberty Street in Trenton had two pit bulls chained up in the basement.
Detention Hearings Lawyers in Mercer County NJ
Based on their findings, the Defendant was most likely charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose in the second degree, unlawful possession of a weapon in the second degree, possession of a weapon while in the commission of a CDS offense in the second degree, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in the second degree and abandonment of an animal. The Defendant was taken to the Mercer County Jail and it has been reported that the prosecution has filed for a Detention Hearing. Based on the new bail guidelines which came into affect in January of 2017, the prosecution now has the ability to detain a Defendant in jail, without bail pending trial. However, in order to do so a Detention Hearing must take place. During that hearing, the prosecution will need to establish by clear and convincing evidence that there are no reasonable means to assure one of the following:
- The Defendant’s appearance in Court to answer for the charges;
- The publics safety; or
- That the Defendant will not obstruct the prosecution of there case.
Clear and convincing evidence is a very high standard for the prosecution. These hearings could and should be contested. If you have been arrested and charged with the possession of cocaine, the distribution of cocaine or any other offense for that matter and are scheduled for a Detention Hearing, the criminal defense attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. If you would like to speak to one of our Mercer County criminal defense attorneys about your options then please contact us at 609-789-0779.
