Charged With Possession of Cocaine in Kenilworth New Jersey
Cocaine is growing in popularity like decades ago and this has led to a spike in possession charges in Kenilworth New Jersey and other area municipalities. Despite the frequency of this offense, possessing cocaine is treated very seriously under the law. You face a state prison term, hefty fines and a mandatory driver’s license suspension if you are convicted for having the smallest quantity of cocaine in your possession in Kenilworth. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can provide you with skillful representation so that consequences like these are averted. Our criminal team includes multiple former prosecutors and other knowledgeable lawyers that have over 100 years in practice combined. If you possessed cocaine and have been charged with a third degree crime by the Kenilworth Police or a state trooper patrolling the Garden State Parkway, there is no doubt that we have an attorney to competently defend you at the Union County Superior Court.
Kenilworth Cocaine Possession Offense
An offense for possession of cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 is becoming extremely common throughout Union County, including in Kenilworth. Unlike a charge for possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana in Kenilworth which is always a misdemeanor, the converse is the case when someone possesses cocaine. Possessing cocaine is a third degree crime, a felony, with exception of when someone is selling or distributing the drug. The grading and penalties for distribution of cocaine in Kenilworth are entirely different.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1) makes it illegal to knowingly possess, either directly or constructively, any quantity of cocaine in Kenilworth. An individual has direct possession of cocaine when the CDS is in his/her physical custody. Constructive possession applies where someone lacks direct control but are aware of the presence of the cocaine and have both the intent and ability to take physical control in the future.
Possession of cocaine is a third degree crime that results in a fine of up to $35,000 and up to 5 years in prison. When the conduct occurs in a school zone (i.e. possession within 1,000 feet of school property), a conviction also results in a minimum of 100 hours of community service.
The Pretrial Intervention Program allows an individual to avoid prosecution for cocaine possession if they are a first time offender. The guidelines for admission and successful completion of PTI are stringent so it is always advisable to enlist a knowledgeable defense attorney in order to ensure the greatest opportunity for this relief.
Kenilworth Cocaine Possession Defense Attorney
Kenilworth may only have approximately 8,000 residents but there are quite a number of cocaine possession charges that arise there every year. Our lawyers know this as much as any given that we are one of the largest criminal firms in the state and have been appearing at the Superior Court in Elizabeth for decades. An attorney at our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is ready to do whatever it will take to help you escape a conviction. Call us at 908-272-1700 to speak to a lawyer immediately in a free consultation. Attorneys can be reached any time of day to assist with questions, preparing for a detention hearing or any other role.
