Drug Laws

In a story that broke last week in the Asbury Park Press, numerous charges could end up being dropped and convictions vacated due to possible corruption within the Camden Police Department. According to the report, it could affect as many as 50 people who have been convicted or are currently facing mostly drug charges. [Read more…] about NJ Drug Cases to be Vacated Due to Corruption?

A multi-agency effort to stop the efforts of a local drug trafficking ring has resulted in 26 arrests thus far in the Jersey City area. The effort involved local, state, and federal officials and has netted guns, drugs, and several alleged gang members.

According to NJ News, the investigation has lasted 6 months and involved a 29 year old alleged ringleader from Bayview Avenue in Jersey City. He and his alleged associates are said to have worked out of the Greenville area and may have been connected to the Bloods street gang.

All told, the police are said to have seized 32 ounces of PCP, marijuana, oxycodone, 35 bricks of heroin, two guns, and $7000 in cash. This total does not include the latest seizures and those numbers are likely to rise.

This group is said to have dealt with the distribution, not only of heroin, but also of what is referred to as “wet”. Wet is a term used to describe PCP laced cigarettes or marijuana. It’s cheap and commonly found in urban areas.

While the alleged ringleader of this group has been charged with racketeering, leading a narcotics trafficking network, conspiracy, and distribution, it isn’t clear what the other arrestees are facing. Judging from the seizures, there will be everything from drug charges to weapons offenses.

Despite what the general public thinks, it is easy to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time when you associate with people like this ringleader and his crew. When the police have their eyes on someone, you don’t want to be in the peripheral. When you are, you stand the chance of being accused of something.

Whether you are caught with marijuana in your pocket or riding in someone else’s car when drugs are found, you can face very serious charges. The key to having a potentially positive outcome at court is being able to depend on a defense attorney.

Knowing what to do in a time like this is tricky. Contact me today for a consultation on your case and some free legal advice. I am interested in hearing about your charges and I am interested in helping you.

In a move that would make New Jersey the one of the few states on the east coast to legalize medical marijuana, a bill easily cleared the legislature, and awaits the governor’s signature.

Governor Corzine has indicted that he will sign the bill before leaving office next week. Governor-elect Christie has indicated that he has some reservations with the legislation, but it appears the final version tightened restrictions and eased concerns that it could open the door to recreational marijuana use. [Read more…] about NJ Legislature Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

Currently, there is a law on the books in New Jersey that increases the penalty for a drug charge when the crime is committed in proximity to a school. Like similar laws in other states, this one was passed with good intentions in mind. However, a 2005 study showed that the law is having little effect on the safety of our children and instead causing more problems than good.

The current law was passed in 1987 and enhances the penalty for a drug crime near a school even when the offense had absolutely nothing to do with the educational institution or its students. As this editorial details, because the population concentration and the number of schools in urban settings are so much higher, the law is actually serving to disproportionately incarcerate urban residents, leaving suburbanites getting off easier for many of the same crimes.

A 2005 study from the New Jersey Commission to Review Criminal Sentencing found that 8 in 10 of urban drug cases occurred in a school zone while only 2 out of 10 suburban offenses were near a school. Because the law adds an average of 3 years to a prison sentence, it seems to be one factor contributing to the overrepresentation of urban minorities in prisons.

In addition, during the study, only 2 out of 90 cases occurred on school property and none involved students.

Last year the Assembly passed legislation to change this law and Governor Corzine has said he will sign the bill when he gets it. In the meantime, the law continues to impact cases day in and day out.

Drug charges are serious enough without adding an additional 3 years to your sentence. If you are facing possession or even distributing charges you are likely wondering about all the factors that can affect your case.

Contacting an attorney to discuss your case is the first step in the right direction. Once I know the details of your situation, I can assist you in making the best choices in your case. Contact me today to discuss the specifics of your case and how to handle them.

New Jersey is unique in its utilization of drug courts. With drugs often being a catalyst for crime, these courts seek to attack the problem at its source, the addiction, often giving offenders a second chance at doing right through options like drug treatment and probation.

The first NJ drug courts started in 1996 in Camden and Essex Counties. Mercer, Passaic, and Union soon followed with their own in 1999. The successes of these courts led legislators to pass funding to create statewide drug courts in 2000.

These drug courts are targeted at nonviolent offenders who don’t have prior convictions for violent crime. If you are a first time offender and are charged with a drug offense, this could be you.

Specialized drug courts lead to specialized sanctions and programs. No longer are people who simply have a drug problem shuffled into the prison system where they receive little help. Now, those who qualify are given the opportunity to pay for their crime but also to get clean and stay drug free.

Under the Obama Administration, programs like the one in New Jersey could be expanded across the country. While many states have drug courts, only a few have one in every county.

These programs don’t only assist those caught up in the system but also work to relieve some pressure off the “system” as well. An addict that can stay clean is one far less likely to go down the path of crime. Because drugs often lead to other crimes (those intended to get money for drugs and those committed while under the influence), drug courts can, in theory, reduce crime and its effects on the community.

When facing criminal charges for the first time, it is scary to think of the possibility of doing time or being away from family and friends. It can be particularly frightening if you have a drug problem.

If you are facing drug charges, I want to help. Whether your case is seen in one of the NJ drug courts or the criminal courts, I can be there to support you.

Call me today for a consultation on your case.