Charged With Possession of 50 Grams or Less of Marijuana in Springfield New Jersey
Marijuana possession continues to be a criminal offense in Springfield and anywhere else in the state. Contrary to what you might have heard about changes to marijuana possession laws in other parts of the country, New Jersey continues to make possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana a disorderly persons offense and over 50 grams of marijuana a fourth degree crime. Either variety of Springfield marijuana possession charge exposes you to potential imprisonment if you are convicted. If you want to give yourself the best chance of avoiding a conviction, you need a Springfield NJ marijuana possession lawyer with the knowledge, skills and capability of aggressively challenging the charges. The criminal attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have more than a century of combined experience defending people on all types of marijuana charges. Our lawyers are seasoned defense lawyers and former prosecutors who devote their practices to representing individuals arrested/charged with violating the law. Contact us today at 908-272-1700 to speak to an attorney with the knowledge and skill to fully protect your interests.
Marijuana Possession Offense in Springfield New Jersey
Drugs considered to be the most dangerous because of their lack of an accepted medical use and high potential for abuse and addiction are listed as Schedule I controlled dangerous substances. It will probably not come as a surprise to you that heroin is included in Schedule I, but what shocks many people is that marijuana is included on the same schedule. It is a crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 if police suspect you of any of the following activities involving marijuana:
- Possession
- Use
- Being under the influence
Depending upon the quantity of marijuana recovered at the time of your arrest in the Township of Springfield, the offense you are facing 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 is the equivalent of a misdemeanor and is dealt with in Springfield Municipal Court. In either case, you will have a criminal record that requires you to disclose your conviction on job applications. If you want to travel outside of the U.S., a felony drug conviction could make it difficult or impossible to gain entry into some countries.
Penalties for Marijuana Possession in North Brunswick
Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana is an indictable crime of the fourth degree under 2C:35-10a(3). Judges can sentence you to serve up to 18 months in prison, pay fines up to $25,000 and suspend your driver’s license for a minimum of six months up to a maximum of 24 months. The penalties under 2C:35-10a(4) for possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana are still quite severe. It’s a disorderly persons offense, so you will have a criminal record, and your sentence could include:
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Six months in jail
- Driver’s license suspension for six to 24 months
When so much is at stake, having a criminal defense attorney representing you who has the experience, the skills and knowledge of the law to give you the best chance to avoid a conviction is critical.
Pretrial Intervention & Conditional Discharge. If you are one of the many people arrested for marijuana possession in Springfield without a prior drug charge on your record, an attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will diligently pursue a diversion program to prevent you from being subjected to the harsh penalties and a criminal record normally associated with a marijuana possession conviction. If you are eligible for either Pretrial Intervention or Conditional Discharge, you can opt to be placed on one year probation and, upon successful completion, your offense will be dismissed so you avoid a criminal record and penalties.
North Brunswick Marijuana Possession Defense Lawyer
Our attorneys explore all defenses, including challenging the methods used by police to search and seize evidence prosecutors intend to use against you. A motion to suppress evidence, including statements you might have made to police, is only one of the strategies we employ when defending you. A defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will also force the prosecutor to establish that the motor vehicle stop or entry into your residence that led to discovery of the marijuana was valid. If you were charge with possession of marijuana in Springfield and would like an in depth case review from one our lawyers, contact our office at your earliest convenience. An attorney is available 24/7 to assist you at908-272-1700.
