It’s not likely that you’ll face jail time as a first offender for possession of marijuana.
Though the states are currently re-evaluating their laws around marijuana, in New Jersey, it remains a crime to possess any amount of the drug, cultivate any quantity of the plants, or possess paraphernalia like pipes even if you have no drug on you.
“Possession” can mean almost anything – a seed discovered on the floor mat of your car, a baggie with remnants, a “roach” in an ashtray.
Because of the many ways a person can end up charged with simple possession, the frequency that normal, otherwise law abiding individuals do end up charged with it, and the perception on the part of nearly everyone that marijuana possession shouldn’t destroy a person’s life, various workarounds have been implemented to keep first offenders out of jail.
One option you may be eligible for is a Conditional Discharge, which would require you to engage in drug testing for a period of time in lieu of going to jail, with your case being sealed when you have successfully completed the conditions.
There are defenses against marijuana conviction, but for many clients, the biggest priorities are staying out of jail and ensuring a clean background check going forward.
When you need steady legal advice that puts your goals first, call attorney Matthew Reisig at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.