Heroin Offenses

Charged With Possession or Distribution of Heroin in Union County, New Jersey

There is little doubt that heroin has experienced an extreme resurgence in New Jersey including Union County. All walks of life have been touched by this powerful drug. Dependency sets in almost immediately with heroin and this can lead to both limited and chronic contact with police and the court system. Chances are that you have been charged with some form of heroin offense and that your case is set to be heard at the Union County Superior Court in Elizabeth NJ. This certainly is not a shock to us given that two municipalities, Elizabeth and Plainfield, were among the 30 New Jersey Towns With the Most Heroin Abuse  in 2016. This does not mean, however, that you are in an unusual position if your charge rose in a more suburban town like Clark, Springfield or Summit, as this is a problem everywhere in the county.

The defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall possesses exceptional experience in handling heroin charges of all grades with over our 100 years of collective criminal experience. While a considerable portion of this time has been from the perspective of a defending clients charged/arrested, our attorneys also possess a long work history as prosecutors. A lawyer at the firm is prepared to put our know how and skill to work in defending your heroin charge. You can contact our Union NJ defense firm for a free consultation at 908-272-1700 anytime 24/7.

Heroin Charges in Union County

Heroin charges can come in all forms in Union County. An attorney on our defense team can help you defend any of these forms of heroin offense. Our lawyers handle cases like:

If you have been charged with possession of heroin or even intent to distribute heroin, the greatest likelihood is that you are facing a third degree crime. The reason we say this is because the biggest block of heroin offense cases fall within this degree of crime. This is where all straight possession charges and cases involving distribution of less than one half ounce (other than in a school or park) fall in terms of grading. The first thing you need to know if you are facing a third degree heroin violation is that it is a felony and will result in a record for, at an absolute minimum, of five (5) years from the date of completion of probation and/or a jail term and payment of all fines.  In addition to having a felony criminal record, a conviction results in significant penalties, including up to five (5) years in state prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

A second degree or third degree heroin offense is even more serious. There is a presumption that you will have to serve a state prison term (i.e. virtual certainty) if you are found guilty and the conviction is never removable from your record. The maximum fine that may be imposed is $150,000 for a second degree and $500,000 for a first degree. You may also be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for a second degree and 20 years for a first degree.

It is also important for you to keep in mind that the penalties previously set forth are the standard ones for possessing or distributing heroin. These penalties are enhanced if the violation is in a school zone or in a public park.

Hillside NJ Heroin Charge Attorneys

We have found that our significant knowledge and experience in not only defending cases but also in the workings of programs like drug court and pretrial intervention can prove invaluable in handling heroin cases. It certainly doesn’t hurt that our attorneys are also extremely familiar with the personnel, judges and prosecutors at the Criminal Division in Elizabeth. We are prepared to put all of these resources to work for you and to discuss how we can help you avoid a conviction and penalties for the heroin charge that was filed in Cranford, Roselle Park, Linden, Hillside, Rahway or another location in Union County. in a free initial consultation. Feel free to contact our office any time at 908-272-1700.