Charged With Possession of Marijuana in Plainfield New Jersey
Legalization of marijuana possession in other states may have occurred but that does not change the fact that you will arrested and charged with a criminal offense if you engage in this type of conduct in Plainfield New Jersey or anywhere else in New Jersey. In fact, you will face a felony charge if the quantity possessed is more than 50 grams. And even when you possess 50 grams or less of marijuana, you face a sentence that includes jail and a suspension of your driver’s license. You would also be left with a criminal record that employers and anyone else conducting a background check will see. Selecting the right attorney to represent you makes all the difference in avoiding pitfalls such as these.
The lawyers at our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, has the credentials to help you move on from a Plainfield marijuana possession offense with minimal consequences. We have been representing clients in your position for decades in Plainfield Municipal Court (i.e. disorderly persons offense for possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana) and at the Union County Superior Court (i.e. fourth degree crime for possessing more than 50 grams of marijuana) for decades. Several members of our defense team are also former prosecutors. An attorney with extensive knowledge of the drug laws and the court system is just a telephone calls away. To speak to a lawyer who has what is needed to protect your interests, contact our office anytime of day or night. We can be reached at 908-272-1700 for a free consultation.
Plainfield Marijuana Possession Charge
New Jersey lists marijuana along with heroin as a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. The reason for this classification is because marijuana is not recognized as having any accepted medical use, and it is considered to pose a potential for abuse by those who use it. It is presently illegal to possess marijuana in any quantity in New Jersey in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. The law allows a Plainfield drug possession charge to be filed when someone engages possession, use or is under the influence of marijuana.
Depending upon the quantity of marijuana recovered at the time of your arrest, a 2C:35-10 charge can be either an indictable offense, which would be classified as a felony in most states other than New Jersey, or a disorderly persons offense, which would normally be a misdemeanor. In either event, a conviction means you must disclose it on job applications and in other circumstances in which you are asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime. Someone conducting a background check, as is normally done before you are hired for a new job, would see your record of conviction.
Penalties for Marijuana Possession in Plainfield NJ
Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana is an indictable crime of the fourth degree under 2C:35-10a(3) for which you could be sent to prison for up to 18 months and ordered to pay a fine of as much as $25,000. You could also have your license to drive suspended for at least six months and for as long as 24 months.
Possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana is a disorderly persons offense under 2C:35-10a(4). You could be sentenced to serve up to six months in jail and pay a fine of as much as $1,000 by the judge of Plainfield Municipal Court. A conviction also results in a 6-24 month driver’s license suspension that applies whether you were operating a motor vehicle or not.
The penalties that you face are even more significant if you have been charged with distribution of CDS in Plainfield. The consequences of this type of conduct can escalate all the way up to a first degree crime. For more information on this subject, refer to our Marijuana Distribution page.
Plainfield NJ Marijuana Possession Defense Lawyer
There is a lot at stake if you have been arrested and are facing a Plainfield marijuana possession charge. Give yourself the best opportunity for fighting the offense by retaining a defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. Our attorneys have over a century of combined experience to formulate an effective plan to help you escape a conviction and penalties under 2C:35-10. An attorney on our team can also help you pursue a diversion under the Conditional Discharge or Pretrial Intervention programs. This is another way you can avoid the stigma of a criminal record and the harsh penalties associated with a marijuana possession conviction. To learn more about what one of our lawyers can do for you if you have a marijuana possession charge in Plainfield NJ, call (908) 272-1700 for a free consultation.
