Heroin Distribution Lawyers in Mercer County NJ
The heroin epidemic that has been sweeping through Mercer County has only increased the urgency of the prosecutors to take as many individuals distributing heroin of the streets. Whether a Defendant has been charged with distributing heroin, possessing heroin with the intent to distribute or manufacturing heroin, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of an experienced Mercer County criminal defense attorney. Depending on the degree, a Defendant charged with distributing heroin in Mercer County could be facing anywhere from a probationary sentence up to a twenty (20) year state prison sentence. As you will see below, the degree that a Defendant finds themselves being charged with will depend directly on two factors, the quantity of the drug seized and the location in which it was seized (i.e. school zone or park zone). If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug offense like possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, possessing heroin, distributing heroin, possessing cocaine or being the leader of a drug trafficking network it is imperative that you speak to an experienced Mercer County drug lawyer.
Consult with a Heroin Distribution Attorney in Lawrenceville NJ
The attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law have represented countless Defendants charged with distributing heroin over the years. These can be rather complex cases and as such require the assistance of an experienced drug distribution defense attorney. Almost all drug charges stem from some form of a search and a seizure. This is where an experienced drug defense attorney can attack. If they are successful, the charges may ultimately be dismissed. If you would like to come into our office to have a face to face consultation with Mr. Oliver or one of the other attorneys on staff, then please contact us directly at (609)789-0779. Our office routinely appears in Courts throughout the County including the Hamilton Municipal Court, the Lawrence Municipal Court, the Ewing Municipal Court, the Hightstown Municipal Court, the Trenton Municipal Court, the Hopewell Municipal Court, the West Windsor Municipal Court and Mercer County Superior Court. Both of the firms founding partners, Mr. Oliver’s and Mr. Proetta’s careers have been solely dedicated to representing those arrested and charged with criminal offenses in New Jersey. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. We are available around the clock to help assist in any way possible. Now here is a breakdown in the different degrees of heroin distribution charges in New Jersey.
How Serious are Heroin Distribution Cases in Trenton NJ
The governing statute in New Jersey for distributing heroin is N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. Pursuant to the statute, a Defendant could be charged with either possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, distributing heroin or manufacturing heroin. Regardless of what subsection a Defendant is charged under, the potential penalties can be life changing. As one would imagine, New Jersey and especially Mercer County, takes heroin distribution allegations very seriously. Do in large part to the serious heroin epidemic that has been terrorizing this State for the better part of the last two decades, these types of case tend to be aggressively prosecuted. Since all distribution cases are considered felony offenses, all heroin distribution cases must be litigated in the Mercer County Superior Court, which is located at 400 South Warren Street. Here is a breakdown of the different types of distribution offenses that tend to be prosecuted in Mercer County.
Distributing Heroin Charges in NJ:
- To be convicted of distributing heroin in New Jersey the prosecution would need to prove that the Defendant knowingly or purposely distributed heroin to another on the day in question.
Possession of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute Cases in NJ:
- To be convicted of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant knowingly or purposely possessed or had under their control heroin with the intent to distribute it to another on the day in question.
Manufacturing Heroin Offenses in New Jersey:
- To be convicted of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Defendant knowingly or purposely manufactured heroin on the day in question. Manufacturing has been defined as “the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of a controlled dangerous substance .., either directly or by extraction from substances or natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or re-labeling of its contained”
As you can tell these are three separate offenses covered under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. If you have been arrested and charged with one of these offenses in Mercer County in towns like Hamilton, Lawrenceville, Ewing, West Windsor, East Windsor, Trenton, Hopewell, Pennington and Hightstown we can help. For a free consultation today, please contact us at (609)789-0779. Now here is a breakdown the degrees of heroin distribution offenses.
All Heroin Distribution Cases will be Classified as Felony Offenses in NJ
Penalties for a 1st Degree Felony Heroin Distribution Charge:
To be charged with a first degree felony heroin distribution charge, the Defendant must have possessed over five (5) ounces of heroin. If convicted, a Defendant faces anywhere from ten to twenty years in a New Jersey State Prison, a fine up to $200,000 and a felony criminal record. A Defendant charged under this section would not be eligible for Drug Court and Pretrial intervention.
Penalties for a 2nd Degree Felony Heroin Distribution Charge:
To be charged with a second degree felony heroin distribution charge, the Defendant must have possessed over a ½ ounces of heroin but less than 5 ounces. If convicted, a Defendant faces anywhere from five to ten years in a New Jersey State Prison, a fine up to $150,000 and a felony criminal record. A Defendant may be eligible for both Drug Court and the Pretrial Intervention Program.
Penalties for a 3rd Degree Felony Heroin Distribution Charge:
To be charged with a third degree felony heroin distribution charge, the Defendant must have possessed less than a ½ ounces of heroin. If convicted, a Defendant faces anywhere from three to five in a New Jersey State Prison, a fine up to $35,000 and a felony criminal record. A Defendant may be eligible for both Drug Court and the Pretrial Intervention Program.
Can the Police Seize My Car Based on False Heroin Distribution Charges in NJ?
The police have the authority to seize any items that they believe are either the fruits of the unlawful activity or they were used in the commission of the unlawful activity. Some of the most common items that we see being seized based on drug distribution charges in Mercer County include motor vehicles, houses, boats, cash, jewelry, bank accounts and cell phones. In order to legally keep the items the prosecution will need to file a formal motion with the Court to forfeit the items. Once that motion is filed, the defendant would have the ability to contest the forfeiture of the items. This hearing will be separate and apart from the criminal case and they will typically be stayed pending the outcome of the criminal case. If you would like to discuss your options, please feel free to contact us directly at 609-789-0779.
Talk to a Heroin Distribution Defense Lawyer in Hamilton Today – 609-789-0779
As you can tell from reading above, these are very serious charges and ones that should not be taken lightly. The ramifications if convicted, even of a third degree felony, could be life changing. If you have been charged with distributing heroin, possessing heroin, possessing crystal meth, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute or possessing marijuana in Mercer County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. If you would like to come into our office for a free initial consultation then please contact us (609)789-0779. We fully understand that being charged with a criminal offense can be extremely stressful, so if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.