Charged With Possession of Cocaine in Clark New Jersey
The resurrection of cocaine possession in Clark Township and other Union County municipalities is something that is clearly evident to our attorneys. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall receives more and more calls from individuals charged with possession of cocaine in towns like Clark New Jersey every day. If you were arrested for possessing cocaine or an even more serious charge involving distribution of controlled dangerous substance (“CDS”), you should strongly consider contact a lawyer at our firm. We are former prosecutors and savvy defense lawyers that have over a century of combined experience defending cocaine charges. Contact us at 908-272-1700 to speak to an attorney about your cocaine offense.
Possession of Cocaine in Clark Township
It is illegal to possess cocaine in any quantity in the Township of Clark under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. This law makes it a third degree crime to knowingly possess cocaine, either actually or constructively, in Clark or elsewhere in the state. A felony criminal offense such as this is referred to as an indictable crime and can only be adjudicated at the County Courthouse in Elizabeth. This is where your cocaine case will be dealt with whether you were arrested by a member of the Clark Police Department, the NJ State Police or directly by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Charges involving distribution or possession with intent to distribute cocaine are also handled at the Superior Court except they can be filed as a third degree, second degree or even first degree crime depending on the quantity of cocaine being sold.
Penalties for Possessing Cocaine In Clark NJ
A third degree crime for possession of cocaine carries serious penalties that are set forth in 2C:35-10a(1). You face a fine of up to $35,000 and a state prison term of up to 5 years. An individual convicted of possession is also subject to a mandatory suspension of his/her driver’s license for a term of 6 months to 2 years. Possessing cocaine within a 1,000 feet of school property (a.k.a. in a school zone) also triggers an obligation to perform at least 100 years of community service.
Pretrial Intervention of a Cocaine Offense. A defendant who is a first time offender facing a third degree crime under 2C:35-10 or even for distributing cocaine under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 is eligible for Pretrial Intervention. This program allows the accused to avoid prosecution provided they successfully complete a period of probation.
Clark NJ Cocaine Defense Attorney
A cocaine offense is a serious matter since it allows involves a felony that can land you in jail for a number of years. You can improve your chance of avoiding an unfavorable outcome that includes imprisonment by retaining a defense attorney who is skilled in defending Union County cocaine possession charges. The lawyers on our staff include former prosecutors who have been defending cocaine cases arising in Clark NJ and other municipalities in Union County for decades. If you would like the opportunity to speak to a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall free of charge, contact our office at 908-272-1700. Attorneys are available around the clock to answer your questions.
